World Mixed Cultural and Natural Heritage: Mount Wuyi (3)

In addition, Mount Wuyi also has numerous rare and unique animal species, including the Vibrissaphora liui Pope, Amolops wuyiensis, the Guadun Houyuan Snake, White-necklaced Partridge, and the Wuyi Thick-Lipped Fish. The mountain has many unusual local animals as well such as the Grass Owl, Chinese Pygmy Dormouse, La’s Mole and the White Bat. The Golden Marking Swallowtail Butterfly which was discovered only a few years ago is a rare species of butterfly in the world. In the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve, 256 bird species have been discovered including 35 new species and new subspecies, making Mount Wuyi one of the places with most plentiful bird resources in the world. Of the birds living there, the Yellow-Bellied Tragopan and the Scaly-Sided Merganser are under China’s first-grade national protection, and the Silver Pheasant and Cape Barn Owl are under China’s second-grade national protection.

The mountain also has many birds of prey including the eagle, hawk, falcon and dove, as well as many unique local species such as the Short-Tailed crowtit. Mount Wuyi is also the place with the most insect species in the world. According to experts, Mount Wuyi has over 20,000 insect species, which is equal to the total insect species that have been discovered in China. Analysis shows that most insects on the mountain are beneficial insects, and harmful insects account for no more than two percent, and all of them can be controlled by their natural predators.