Groups of black-necked cranes appear in Altyn Mountains, Xinjiang

The Altyn Mountains National Nature Reserve in Ruoqiang County, Xinjiang, welcomes a large number of migrating black-necked cranes to rest and feed in the Ishekpati Lake Wetland.

The black-necked crane is a national first-level protected animal in China. It is the only crane in the world that only breeds and lives on the plateau. The Altun Mountains National Nature Reserve is one of the northernmost habitats of the black-necked crane in China. Breeding population of 180 to 220 black-necked cranes. From April to May every year, they return to the reserve from their wintering grounds to lay eggs, hatch and raise their young.