"Of course they are not wandering among the skyscrapers," said an associate professor in biology, "But it's true that big wild animals like leopards, boars and wolves have made their homes in the city."

Professor Gao Wu of the Capital Normal University said these animals roam in the wooded areas of Beijing's suburbs.

During the first extensive survey of wild life in Beijing, he and other zoologists discovered traces of the large cats including their footprints, fresh excrement, hair and body imprints.

Wang Minzhong, head of the city's wild life protection station,told Xinhua the frequent appearance of such animals indicates that the forests of Beijing are suitable habitats for them.

The five-year survey also found there are at least 286 species of terraneous wild creatures living within 16,000 km of the capital. The record has been more than 460 species.

Professor Gao said that dozens of birds species have been wiped out due to the changing environment. In 1974 410 swifts were seen in the Forbidden City in downtown Beijing. But last year only 85 were seen, he said.

However, sightings of the rare red-crested tochards in the Huairou Reservoir of northeastern Beijing as well as the wild leopards are bringing optimism and point to an improving ecological environment. The better situation has boosted the confidence of the 2008 Olympics host who promised to present green Olympic Games.

Professor Gao believes that end predators of the food chain such as leopards play an active role in balancing the eco-system.

In fact, wild leopards are not strangers to farmers in Beijing's rural areas. Locals in suburb mountainous regions said 50 years ago their domestic animals were often taken away by the beasts. But no reports of their existence had been heard of since 1990.

"The leopards community have managed to survive in Beijing," said Professor Gao, stating that they live on roe deer, gorals and hares in the the open country within a radius of no more than 100 km.

Although the population of such creatures is increasing, they are not likely to attack human beings, he said. Actually local residents have found ways to live in harmony with wild animals by handing in their hunting rifles and making efforts to preserve theforests.

Their efforts are in line with the government's determination to protect wild life. The municipal government has decided to add more natural reserves to the existing protection reserves which account for 5 percent of the city's total area.

Logging and traveling are prohibited in such reserves.

"I believe it is possible for the population of wild leopards to increase to 30, the figure of 50 years ago," the associate professor said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2001)