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Preocapra Przewalskii, a species of highland antelope native to Northwest China's Qinghai Province, is very close to extinction as its number continues to dramatically decline, according to Jiang Zhigang, a specialist at the Institute of Zoology with the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

There are now no more than 200 of the species living around Qinghai Lake, their sole habitat - one-third of the amount a decade ago - said Jiang in his report to the related departments of the State Forestry Administration, while calling for urgent protection for the animal, China Youth Daily reported yesterday.

According to Li Sandan, a senior official with the local forestry authority, there were at least more than 300 of the animals five years ago.

After five research tours in the area, Jiang attributes the current situation to several reasons.

The animals are losing their only source of food, grass, as they now have to compete with an increasing number of other herbivores. "Another threat is from the attack of wolves," the specialist said. Five of the antelopes were eaten by wolves during Jiang's most recent stay at the lake.

But the biggest dilemma comes from a shrinking habitat. Nearly all of the environment inhabited by the species is now surrounded by an iron fence, which prevents the creatures from grazing freely for food.

To avoid humans, their movement has been restricted, which is against their instinct. It forces them to jump over the fence.

"The hairs of the animal can be found hanging on the iron wire," Jiang said.

Some experts predict if the current situation continues, the species will be extinct within 50 to 100 years.

The species was discovered on grassland in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in 1875 by a Russian naturalist, Przewalskii, and named after him.

It was listed as a highly endangered species in 1999.

The creature is typically 1.1-metre long and has a short tail.

(China Daily February 17, 2003)