Walk on the wild side: Protected snow leopard is spotted wandering around Chinese town 7,000 feet above sea level
A wild snow leopard has been caught on camera wandering along a road at a Chinese town over 7,000 feet above sea level.
Security camera footage shows the majestic beast walking down the snow-covered empty street before pausing to look around, seemingly enjoying a leisurely stroll.
The protected animal was spotted on security cameras by patrol officers near the western Chinese border in Xinjiang on Saturday.
Security camera footage shows the majestic beast walking down the snow-covered empty street before pausing to look around, seemingly enjoying a leisurely stroll in Xinjiang, China
Scientists estimated there may only be between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild around the world.
The specie is a Class A protected animal in China and recognised as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
China is thought to be home to more than half of them, mainly found in the high, rugged mountains of Xinjiang and the Tibetan Plateau.
The recent sighting of the animal occurred in the wee hours of December 26.
The police officers at the Xinjiang Border Patrol Station were inspecting the local area in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture via CCTV, according to the authority’s social media post.
The recent sighting of the animal occurred in the wee hours of December 26 when the police officers at the Xinjiang Border Patrol Station were inspecting the local area in Bortala, Xinjiang
Scientists estimated there may only be between 3,920 and 6,390 snow leopards left in the wild around the world. China is thought to be home to more than half of them (file photo)
While checking through the cameras, the officials saw the snow leopard wandering on a road which was said to be about 2,200 metres (7,217 feet) above sea level.
The animal's appearance raised the officials' concern as the road was frequently used by police officers and situated near residential areas.
In the footage released by the station, the wild animal can be seen pacing along the empty street and briefly stopping to check surroundings.
It even lay down in the middle of the road and started rolling around, appearing to be having some solo playtime in the snow.
The officers then alerted their colleagues patrolling on the ground while closely monitoring the animal’s activity with the cameras.
After about eight minutes, the animal eventually walked away from the road and disappeared in the mountains.
The sighting comes after a trio of snow leopards were found roaming in the wild in Xinjiang's neighbouring region Qinghai Province.
Hidden cameras shows the pack of wild animals sniffing around and digging holes in the wild 12,460 feet above sea level.