The Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has become a paradise for wild animals, thanks to protection efforts by the central and local govern-ments.

In the forests of Mount Helan, flocks of yellow-mouth crows are flying and strolling around sites a few meters from explorers or tourists.

On the roads zigzagging to the mount, weasels and hares are running one after another among rocks.

"Red deer can also be seen in early morning or late night here," said Fan Xueli, who was a herdsman in the area and is now a guide for exploration teams.

Helan Mountain, a juncture of Ningxia and Inner Mongolia Auto-nomous Region, is not only an important ecological forest area, but also a natural barrier blocking deserts and cold currents from the western regions, according to Xinhua news agency.

In the valleys, there is a chance of seeing more than 100 bharals running together, Fan said.

The Helan Nature Reserve, covering 153,000 hectares, was set up in 1988.

The area has become home to more and more wild animals in recent years.

(Eastday.com.cn 06/14/2001)