In July 2019, the Research Department of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) received an application from Zhang Chongxin and other volunteers from the Artificial Breeding Base of Qinling lenok (Brachymystax lenok tsinlingensis) National Germ-plasm Resources Reserve at Malu Town of Zhangjiachuan Hui Autonomous County (at Tianshui City, Gansu Province), to establish “China Conservation Area for Qinling Lenok ? Zhangjiachuan (CCAfa)”, hoping to establish this conservation area for Chinese Qinling lenok in order to strengthen the protection of this species. Relevant experts of the CBCGDF have carefully examined the application and formally approved it. They have agreed to establish “China Conservation Area for Qinling Lenok ? Zhangjiachuan (CCAfa)”, and appointed Zhang Chongxin, an expert of Qinling lenok, as the director of this conservation area.

Qinling Lenok, also known as Plum-blossom Fish, is a national second-class protected animal and is a unique species in China. As a relic species of Quaternary Glaciation, the Qinling Lenok was widely distributed in the tributaries of Weihe River and Hanjiang River in Qinling. However, due to habitat destruction, human fishing, electro-fishing and poisoning fishing, as well as garbage pollution and other factors, up to now, only a few tributaries of Qinling Lenok are distributed in the upper reaches of Weihe River, including Zhangxian, Tianshui, Longxian, and Taibai counties.

“China Conservation Area for Qinling Lenok ? Zhangjiachuan (CCAfa)" is located in the mainstream and tributary of Malu River (Malu Town to Si River) in Malu Town at Zhangjiachuan, Tianshui City, Gansu Province (from Guanshan grassland scenic area to the river mouth), with a great ecological environment. The Artificial Breeding Base of Qinling lenok National Germ-plasm Resources Reserve at Zhangjiachuan plays the role of “Protecting God” of Qinling lenok in this area. With the concerted efforts of Zhang Chongxin and his wife, they have conquered lots of breeding problems in past ten years with very rough conditions. From the “layman” to the specialist in breeding the Qinling lenok, he obtained a national breeding license from the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China.

According to other volunteers who are also fish enthusiasts, the Qinling lenok is the cold-water fish in the mountains, and it is difficult to breed. Director Zhang Chongxin drew lessons from the outside world’s breeding experience of the lenok, and continued to explore, and gradually improved the breeding rate of Qinling lenok. From the choice of parent fish to the operation of artificial ovulation, from artificial insemination to the control of incubator water temperature, Director Zhang Chongxin can talk about every detail. For instance, during the artificial ovulation, he emphasized, in particular, to be as gentle as possible, do not let the parent fishes injured, also cannot let ovulation mouth infection and so on.

In the next year, Director Zhang Chongxin will strengthen the construction of “China Conservation Area for Qinling Lenok ? Zhangjiachuan (CCAfa)” from the following four aspects:

1). Investigation. The Malu River Basin will be surveyed comprehensively to understand its ecological environment and aquatic organism distribution, and to investigate the distribution and population status of Qinling lenok;

2). Propaganda and education. Joint government authorities, local village committees, carry out legal propaganda on the protection of Qinling Lenok in villages along the line;

3). Establish a patrol volunteer organization. Regularly patrol the river course and report problems in time, and urge the river chief to solve;

4). Advocate. Calling for the establishment of an Aquatic Nature Conservation Area at the Malu River.

 (Photo credit: the CCAfa site director Zhang Chongxin)

Original Chinese article:

http://www.cbcgdf.org/NewsShow/4855/9847.html

By / Xue Tongtong