May 22 marks the 26th International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme for this year is "Acting Locally for Global Impact". Endowed with exceptional ecological conditions, Qingtian has continuously strengthened biodiversity conservation efforts. A great variety of wild animals and plants live and multiply here, presenting a beautiful scene of harmonious coexistence among all living things.

Qingtian boasts a forest coverage rate of 80.85%. Stretching mountains and crisscrossing water systems across the county form an excellent living environment for wild animals. Statistics show that the county is home to 625 species of wild vertebrates, including 108 species under national key protection. Among them are 12 national Class I protected wild animals. Rare species such as the Cantor's giant softshell turtle, Chinese pangolin, Cabot's tragopan and black muntjac have all settled here, serving as vivid proof of the superior local ecological environment.

These national Class I protected species are especially precious. Known as the "giant panda of waters", the Cantor's giant softshell turtle is an ancient living fossil with a history of 175 million years, surviving only in a few river basins including the Oujiang River. Qingtian is home to China's only provincial-level nature reserve dedicated to this species. Thanks to measures including artificial propagation and habitat restoration, the reserve has successfully bred juvenile turtles.

The Cabot's tragopan is a rare bird endemic to China, also hailed as the "giant panda among birds". The global wild adult population numbers fewer than 5,000 individuals. In September 2025, an adult Cabot's tragopan was successfully rescued in Wenxi Town, fully reflecting the remarkable outcomes of local conservation work for rare birds. As another national Class I protected animal, the Chinese pangolin plays a vital role in forest ecosystems. Qingtian conducts regular wild population monitoring and wildlife rescue to protect this endangered species. Frequent sightings of black muntjac and other Class I protected animals in mountain forests further attest to the solid achievements in ecological conservation.

National Class II protected wild animals are widely distributed across the region with stable populations. Tufted deer, Chinese gorals and Chinese serows often inhabit mountain areas at medium and high altitudes. The Chinese warty newt, a species extremely sensitive to water quality, was first discovered at Zhenbu Port in 2025, which directly indicates the sustained improvement of regional aquatic ecology. Multiple Class II protected birds including silver pheasants, crested goshawks and owls breed and thrive here, jointly forming a complete mountain and aquatic ecological chain.

Today, Cantor's giant softshell turtles swim freely in the Oujiang River, rare birds play among mountains and forests, and wildlife can be seen everywhere in urban and rural areas. The concept of biodiversity conservation has been deeply integrated into every link of Qingtian's ecological development.