Continuous snowfall and bitterly cold temperatures have seriously threatened the existence of wild animals in a nature reserve in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The latest survey by local wildlife departments shows that nearly 100 goitred gazelles have died from starvation and frigidity, as a result of heavy snowfalls in the Kalamaili Mountain Nature Reserve in northern Xinjiang.

Bad weather and thick snow have also resulted in great difficulties for other wild animals like argals, a species of wildsheep, and Asiatic wild asses, in looking for food, the survey said.

Covering an area of 18,000 square kilometers, the reserve is China's largest one for ungulate animals, boasting dozens of rare wild animals on China's protection lists, such as argals and the goitred gazelles.

Since last December, heavy snow has frequently hit areas in the reserve. The depth of the snow reached 40 to 50 cm in the northern part of the reserve, where the lowest temperature at night is usually minus 35 degrees centigrade with strong winds.

"If we cannot provide enough fodder for the animals in time, their existence will be in great danger," warned Zhu Fude, a local wildlife official with the region's Forestry Bureau.

Currently, wildlife protection departments in the region are still investigating the situation of the reserve and taking steps to save these animals.

Fodder has been supplied to parts of the reserve, such as the Altai area. Meanwhile, the wildlife departments are also seeking support from local people to help wild animals survive this bitter winter.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn February 8, 2006)