Ibex spotted grazing on cliff in Tekes County, Xinjiang

On May 22, 2026, herds of ibex appeared on steep mountain cliffs in Tekes County, Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. They moved, leapt, and paused among the cliffs, as if the perilous rock faces beneath their hooves were level grasslands. Known as the “spirits of the high mountains,” the ibex is a second-class protected wild animal in China. It typically inhabits high-altitude alpine rocky areas. With powerful limbs, fine balance, and exceptional climbing ability, it can move freely across the cliffs, fully displaying both wild vigor and agility.

In recent years, as public awareness of wildlife conservation has continued to grow and the ecological environment of Xinjiang has steadily improved, ibex have increasingly come into public view.

(Source: The Media Convergence Center of Tekes County)