XUANCHENG, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese alligator, also known as the Yangtze alligator, has lived on earth for over 200 million years. It is a first-class protected animal endemic to China.
A field survey on Chinese alligators is underway in east China's Anhui Province to better understand the distribution, habitats and populations of this endangered species in the wild. The survey is conducted by Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve and Anhui Normal University.
Staff members of a nature reserve collect eggs of Chinese alligators at the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province, July 7, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
Members of a survey team conduct a field survey at the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province, May 8, 2022. (Xinhua)
It's difficult to observe Chinese alligators in the wild during the daytime directly. The survey team members counted the number of them by flashing a light into the water at night, as the eyes of the alligators would glow under the light.
Members of a survey team conduct a field study at night at the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province, May 8, 2022. (Xinhua)
Photo taken on May 8, 2022 shows a Chinese alligator observed during a field survey at the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua)
Lasting from early May to early October, this survey will provide scientific support for the ecological restoration of the habitat and release of artificially bred Chinese alligators in the future.
Aerial photo taken on April 20, 2021 shows a view of the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve in Xuancheng, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)
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