Nagqu, Xizang, June 17, 2025 — Local officials in southwest China’s Xizang region have started a new effort to help wildlife at the Qiangtang National Nature Reserve. They are putting up special artificial structures to support birds of prey, like peregrine falcons and upland buzzards.
These structures serve as perches and nests, helping the young raptors survive better. They also help control the number of rodents, such as pikas and voles, that live in the grassy areas of the reserve.
The Qiangtang National Nature Reserve is very large, covering more than 298,000 square kilometers.
It is an important home for many animals, including the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and the upland buzzard (Buteo hemilasius). These birds are crucial for keeping the environment balanced by eating rodents.
If there are too many rodents, they can destroy grasslands by overgrazing, which can harm the local wildlife and the livelihoods of people who depend on the land.
A study from 2019 showed that upland buzzards and similar birds help keep rodent numbers under control and reduce the spread of diseases in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.
The new artificial structures are placed in important spots throughout the reserve. They give the birds higher places to sit and safe places to build their nests, which is important because the weather is harsh and there are not many natural places for perching at such high altitudes.
Since this initiative began, local wildlife officials have noticed more young birds surviving. Early reports indicate that there is a 20% improvement in the survival of young peregrine falcons.
The new structures also help the birds hunt better, as they can see more area around them when looking for food, which helps keep rodent numbers down.
Zhang Wei, a conservation officer at Qiangtang, said, “This project not only helps the raptor populations but also protects the grassland ecosystem. By supporting healthy predator and prey relationships, we are making sure this special landscape can thrive.”
Conservationists have praised the initiative, calling it a good example of how to protect biodiversity and keep ecosystems healthy. Plans are in place to expand this effort, with more structures to be added by 2026.
