The Tibet
Autonomous Region in southwest China has decided to enhance
protection for 13 species who prey on grassland mice.?
Sources from the regional forestry bureau said that the red fox,
Tibetan fox, steppe polecat, eagle vulpes corsac (also a fox
species), Chinese desert cat and other predators, all natural
enemies of grassland mice that were previously listed under
second-class protection, have now been given Tibet's highest level
of protection.
As one of China's five major pastoral regions, Tibet has
suffered serious economic losses from grassland rodents. In
northern Tibet, the number of mice has increased to 1.1 billion,
which are eating grass capable of feeding 15 million to 20 million
head of sheep for a whole year, according to information from the
regional bureau of animal husbandry.
Grassland mice are also able to spread diseases to domestic
livestock, said the bureau.
Preying on eagles, foxes, snakes and wild feline species has
destroyed a balance of ecology in nature and the lack of natural
enemies has led to the fast propagation of mice on grassland, said
wildlife experts with the regional forestry bureau.
Placing mouse poison can sometimes put lives of human beings and
those of livestock at risk, said the experts, who called the latest
move a wise step.
"The move will not produce immediate effects, but in the long
run it will play a positive role in controlling grassland mice and
protecting wildlife in the plateau region," said the
experts.?
(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2004)