![ili pika animal ili pika animal](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/a8/69/bf/a869bff6cff96ae7afda3af9ef64e05b.jpg)
At noon one day, as they were setting up camera traps, the team spotted their prize.Ī curious pika emerged from a gap in the cliff face, and Li snapped a few photos (including the one above). Weidong Li, the species' original discoverer and a scientist at the Xinjiang Institute for Ecology and Geography, had gathered a group of volunteers in the Tianshan Mountains for some pika searching. Then, in summer 2014, researchers rediscovered the pika. In fact, people have spotted only 29 live individuals, and little is known about the animal's ecology and behavior. People have seen the furry critter only a handful of times since it was discovered by accident in 1983.
![ili pika animal ili pika animal](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/hx_cEtuJqEUjafveHo67LEFORSk/0x61:962x601/944x531/2015/03/25/ili_pika_1.jpg)
You could call it one of the world's longest games of hide and seek.įor more than 20 years, the Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis), a type of tiny, mountain-dwelling mammal with a teddy bear face, had eluded scientists in the Tianshan Mountains of northwestern China. This Ili pika was seen last summer in China's Tianshan Mountains. More than 20 years after its discovery, the rare Ili pika was spotted in the mountains of northwestern China. Unbelievably Cute Mammal With Teddy Bear Face Rediscovered There are no known conservation measures in place for Ochotona iliensis.
![ili pika animal ili pika animal](http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150323110517-china-ili-pika-2-super-169.jpg)
Low population densities and reproductive rates coupled with the relatively limited ability to disperse impede the ability of the species to recover from declines. The exact causes for recently observed population declines are not known, but it is speculated that an increase in grazing pressure and global atmospheric pollution resulting in climate change are negatively impacting Ochotona iliensis populations. An estimated 2,000 mature individuals existed in the early 1990s. Only one examined site, the Bayingou region, showed signs of previously observed abundance. Populations have declined in the regions of Jipuk, Tianger Apex, and Telimani Daban. A recent census indicated that Ochotona iliensis may be extirpated from Jilimalale and Hutubi South Mountains. Population declines have been observed for several locations inhabited by this species. Its population has been reduced by 55% within 10 years. Only one to two litters are produced each year, but litter size for this species is unknown. It is mostly a diurnal species, but may exhibit nocturnal activity. iliensis exhibits low population densities. This species constructs haypiles and is a generalized herbivore.Īlmost nothing is known about the ecology or behavior of the species. Ochotona iliensis inhabits talus areas on high cliff faces. It is endemic to the Tian Shan mountains of northwest Chinese province Xinjiang. The Ili pika ( Ochotona iliensis ) is a species of mammal in the Ochotonidae family, endemic to northwest China.