In the snow leopard enclosure at Xi'ning Wildlife Park in northwest China's Qinghai Province, "Aoxue", a year and five-month-old snow leopard, is already demonstrating the power of the "King of the Snow Mountain". 

 

"'Aoxue' is currently the only existing snow leopard produced by artificial breeding in China. She is also a product of the successful breeding carried out by the research team tackling snow leopard breeding problems and the longest surviving snow leopard," said Qi Xinzhang, deputy director of the park.

 

"Aoxue" was born in the park on June 10, 2016, and she's currently in good health with normal growth.

 

In 2012, Xi'ning Wildlife Park set up a research team for tackling snow leopard breeding problems, consisting of 11 veterinarians and animal technicians. They started looking into the various problems that arise during snow leopard breeding.

 

"The research team has already tackled the challenges in artificial mating, raising during pregnancy and giving birth healthily," said Liu Hongwei, a veterinary expert on the research team.

 

They are currently exploring immunity in leopard cubs, snow leopard physical examination and other topics.

 

Snow leopards are a first class national-level protected animal and they live near the snow line at an altitude of 3,500 meters and above.

 

At present, Xi'ning Wildlife Park has nine snow leopards and is the only snow leopard breeding base in China.