Tibet sets up snow leopard conservation center  

西藏成立雪豹保护中心 加强对种群数量调查保护

A rare snow leopard is sent back to the wild on April 21, 2014. Farmers in Ngari prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, captured a sheep-attacker which proved to be a snow leopard and then sent it to the wild. [Photo: China News Service]

A snow leopard conservation center was established at Tibet's Mount Qomolangma Nature Reserve on Tuesday, local authorities said.

To prepare for further study and protection work, the center will invite experts to survey the population and habitat of snow leopards as well as the human impact on the animals, said Cao Tiantang, head of the reserve.

He said 5 million yuan (about $800,000) worth of initial funds will be provided by a private Chinese foundation. The center will eventually receive national and public funding.

Snow leopards are usually found at an altitude of 3,000 meters to 5,000 meters. Known as "king of snow mountains," the wild animal is on the state protection list.

The snow leopard population has seen a sharp decline in recent years, but with China's environmental efforts, more have been found by herdsmen and photographers in the Qomolangma Nature Reserve, home to one of the world's most-watched and vulnerable ecosystems.