The world’s first rescued release of a Tibetan fox with a satellite tracking collar has been confirmed as a success

Hu San Tiao at a rescue center in northwest China’s Qinghai province Photo: courtesy of Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center

A wildlife rescue and breeding center in northwest China’s Qinghai province recently successfully released a Tibetan fox equipped with a satellite tracking collar after being rescued. This is the first case of this type in the world. The tracking device will provide rich data that will provide clues about the behavior of Tibetan foxes in the wild.

The Tibetan red fox, a species native to the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, was reintroduced into the wild on September 26, 2024, in Riyue commune, Huangyuan county, Xining city. Data sent from the collar showed that the fox’s activity had remained normal since Thursday, leading experts to initially conclude that the release was a success, a wildlife rescue and breeding center in Qinghai confirmed to the Global Times on Sunday.

The Tibetan fox, called Hu San Tiao, is a young male about one year old.

On June 4, 2024, Hu San Tiao was found trapped in a fence at a deer farm in Riyue commune.

Initially considered weak and with no appetite, he regained a healthy weight, received vaccinations against infectious canine diseases and underwent deworming at a rescue center before being released in late September.

It was released on a gentle slope at an altitude of 3,300 meters, in a typical alpine meadow habitat with numerous peaks on the plateau, the main food source for Tibetan foxes in the wild.

As of October 10, 14 days after its release, the collar had collected 325 data points and nearly 50 photos.

The Tibetan fox is found mainly in China and in some parts of Nepal and India. In China, it is classified as a second-class protected wild animal.

Tibetan foxes have gained fame on Chinese social media for their famous blank and indifferent expressions.

Hu San Tiao wearing a satellite collar. Photo: Courtesy of Qinghai Wildlife Rescue and Breeding Center