Rare specimens of sable and wolverine spotted in NE China

HARBIN -- Infrared cameras have captured clear images and videos of a wolverine and a sable, two rare wildlife species under national protection, in the Heilongjiang section of the Greater Khingan Range in Northeast China, the reserve's Huzhong bureau said.

The footage, taken by 60 cameras from Jan 6 to March 6, clearly show a sable attracted by the bait set near the camera and the vigilant movements of a wolverine.

Researchers from the bureau said sables usually live from 800 meters to 1,600 meters above sea level. Statistics show that China had about 180 wolverines in 2009, mostly in Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang and Xinjiang and the species is very difficult to spot in the wild.

The Greater Khingan Range is China's largest state-owned prairie in terms of continuous area. In recent years, the area has seen a growing number of wildlife species thanks to the continuous improvement of its ecological environment.