Herds of 'rock-climbing' blue sheep resurface in Sunan

Over 200 blue sheep, a national second-class protected species, were recently photographed en masse within the Dacha territory of Dahe town, Sunan Yugur autonomous county of Zhangye, Gansu province.

Amidst the snow-covered slopes, herds of blue sheep were seen strolling leisurely in search of food, other times frolicking playfully. The scene was quite spectacular, adding a dynamic and vibrant touch to the springtime Qilian Mountains and vividly showcasing the harmonious coexistence of humans and nature.

Commonly known as blue sheep, these animals are often active in high mountain bare rock areas, with extremely sensitive smell and vision, and agile movements, earning them the nickname "rock climbing masters." They are gregarious, typically moving in groups of a dozen or more, and sometimes forming large herds of several hundreds.

In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the ecological environment, the population of rare wildlife in the Qilian Mountains has increased. Local herders and photography enthusiasts often capture images of these elusive creatures.