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27-806: The Ulan Moron begins as melt-off from the Geladandong glaciers and runs to a confluence with the Dangqu or Dam Chu River , where they form the Tongtian River , which subsequently becomes the Yangtze River . Although the Dangqu has been found to be the source of the Yangtze under the usual modern criteria, the Ulan Moron has been traditionally regarded as the main river and source. It belongs to

54-472: A "mixed-mosaic" of grassland, shrubland and forest. Their ideal habitat is often located well-above the treeline , and they are known for frequenting elevations between 3,500 to 5,100 metres (11,500 to 16,700 ft)—among the highest of any deer species in the world, besides the South American taruca ( Hippocamelus antisensis ). The white-lipped deer also migrates between elevations, seasonally; as

81-496: A face solo route on the same expedition. Although a dangerous peak to climb, Geladaindong is popular among Chinese mountain climbers . In 1994, the Mountaineering Association of Peking University (MAPKU) became the first Chinese climbing team to reach the summit of Geladaindong. Thorold%27s Deer Przewalskium albirostris Przewalskium albirostre Thorold's deer ( Cervus albirostris )

108-616: A range of vocalisations, including loud alarm calls, screams and whistles (which are audible over 500 m (1,600 ft) away), bellows and growls (made by males in rut ), and quieter grunts, mews made by females and young. Like reindeer , they can also make unusual, loud snapping sounds from their carpal bones , the function of which is unclear. Thorold's deer rarely run, but they can gallop at up to 35 miles (56 km) per hour. The rut occurs between September and November, when herds containing both males and females become more common. Such herds consist of several males, each maintaining

135-520: A shelter for more than twenty kinds of wild animals, including the white-lipped deer , Asiatic wild ass , snow leopard , and alpine snowcock . Geladaindong was first climbed by Japanese team in 1985 after three years of trying to obtain a permit. They ascended the peak via the northwest ridge approaching from the northeast. In 1997 an American team climbed a new route up the northeast face (55–60°). The team consisted of William N. Rom M.D., Dan Luchtel PhD, and Mark Newcomb. Mark Newcomb also pioneered

162-410: A small harem of females that they protect from other males. Males compete with one another in a manner similar to other deer - wrestling with antlers, scent marking , visual displays, and grunting warning sounds. Mating consists of a single rapid thrust. The female gives birth to a single young after a gestation period of 220 to 250 days, typically in either May and June. Shortly before giving birth,

189-667: Is Geladaindong in the Tibetan language . The name in Chinese is 各 拉 丹 冬 (Pinyin: Gèlādāndōng) or 各 拉 丹 冬 峰 (Pinyin: Gèlādāndōng Fēng, literally "Geladandong Peak"). Geladaindong is located in the administrative unit known as Tanggula Town : an exclave of Haixi Prefecture , in the middle section of Tanggula Shan (the Tanggula Mountain Range). The Geladaindong Peak is encircled by over twenty high peaks exceeding 6,000 meters (19,685 ft) in height. It

216-541: Is a threatened species of deer found in the grassland , shrubland , and forest habitats, at high altitudes, of the eastern Tibetan Plateau , as well as some fragmented areas further north in central Western China . It is also known as the white-lipped deer (or baichunlu , 白唇鹿, in Simplified Chinese , ཤྭ་བ་མཆུ་དཀར།་ in Standard Tibetan ) for the white fur around its snout. Thorold's deer

243-404: Is approximately 50 km (31 mi) long from north to south and approximately 20 km (12 mi) wide from west to east, covering an area of approximately 670 square kilometres (260 sq mi) with ice and snow, covered by over 40 glaciers . This area is directly across the border from Amdo County , Nagqu Prefecture , Tibet Autonomous Region . The Qinghai-Tibet Railway crosses

270-460: Is one of the larger ungulate mammals within its range, and fills an ecological niche similar to the Tibetan red deer (or shou , the subspecies Cervus elaphus wallichi of the red deer species group ). It was first scientifically described by Nikolay Przhevalsky in 1883. As of early 2011, more than 100 of the deer are kept globally in Species360 -registered zoos, and, in 1998, it

297-423: Is short, at 12 to 13 cm (4.7 to 5.1 in) in length. Thorold's deer has a number of physical and physiological adaptations to its high altitude environment. The short legs and broad hooves make it an agile climber, able to use steep mountainous terrain to escape predators. Their nasal cavities are unusually large, allowing them to breathe in rarified high altitude air, while the thick hair protects against

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324-658: The East China Sea watershed basin. 34°05′32″N 92°54′48″E  /  34.0921°N 92.9132°E  / 34.0921; 92.9132 This article related to a river in China is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Geladandong Geladaindong Peak (also spelled Geladandong , Geladaintong or Kolha Dardong ) is a snow-covered mountain (or massif ) located in Southwestern Qinghai Province of China near

351-496: The Latin albus (white) and rostrum (snout), referring to the white muzzle and lips. The name also came from the Chinese word baichunlu (白唇鹿, simplified Chinese ), meaning "white-lipped". For this reason, Thorold's deer is also commonly known as the white-lipped deer. Thorold's deer has traditionally been included in the genus Cervus , and genetic evidence suggests this is more appropriate than its erstwhile placement in

378-408: The monotypic genus Przewalskium . No subspecies are recognized. Thorold's deer is one of the largest deer species, with a shoulder height around 115 to 140 cm (45 to 55 in). Males, which typically weigh from 180 to 230 kg (400 to 510 lb), are significantly larger than females, at 90 to 160 kg (200 to 350 lb) in weight. The hair is coarse and grey-brown over most of

405-542: The Tanggula Mountain Range around 100 km (62 mi) to the east of Geladaindong Peak. Due to the area's arid climate, its annual precipitation is only 200 mm (7.9 in). In the high-altitude area of over 5,000 meters (16,404 ft), however, there exists violent local air circulation and its yearly precipitation is several hundred mm more than that in the foothill area. Thus, snow and hailstones frequently fall, presenting conditions for

432-403: The body, fading to yellowish buff on the underparts, with a distinct reddish-brown patch on the rump, and a ridge of darker hair running down the spine. During winter, the coat is paler, and about twice as thick as during the summer, being thicker even than that of a moose . The head is darker than the rest of the body, especially in males, and contrasts with pure white markings on the lips, around

459-595: The border of Tibet Autonomous Region . It is the tallest mountain in the Tanggula Mountain Range of the Tibetan Plateau with an elevation of 6,621 metres (21,722 ft) above sea level . The traditional source of the Yangtze River , begins with glaciers on its surface. The Yangtze's true source, however, lies 325 km (202 mi) away at the head of the Dam Qu. The mountain's name

486-773: The breeding season. Older males typically travel alone, or occasionally cohabitate with a smaller group of similarly-aged bucks. In past centuries, herds containing hundreds of the deer were reported at high elevations; however, today, herds of over 50-100 individuals are rare. Like wapiti, with their square-shaped lips, they are predominantly grazers that feed on a wide range of low-growing terrestrial plants, primarily grasses and sedges , but also browse on occasion and will consume larger plants (such as rhododendrons and willows ). They have few natural predators, although Himalayan wolves and snow leopards have been known to eat Thorold's deer on occasion, and stray or feral dogs may target fawns. Like other deer species, Thorold's deer has

513-543: The cold. The red blood cells in this species are smaller than average for similarly sized mammals, and are very numerous, both features that increase its ability to take up limited amounts of oxygen. Thorold's deer primarily inhabits the Chinese provinces of Tibet , Sichuan , Qinghai , Gansu , and far northwestern Yunnan . However, they are found only in scattered populations across these regions, apparently being most numerous in eastern Sichuan Province, where they are known from Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (to

540-453: The development of glaciers. The average temperature is −5 °C (23 °F), and the hottest months are from June to August with a temperature of over 20 °C (68 °F), while the coldest month is January, with a temperature of −18 °C (−0.4 °F). In the high-altitude area of over 5,000 m (16,404 ft), it remains cold all year round, the lowest temperature being less than −30 °C (−22 °F). The mountain serves as

567-430: The full adult colour by the end of their first year. They become sexually mature during their second or third year, although males are rarely successful in the rut until they are at least five years old. Thorold's deer have been reported to live up to 21 years in captivity, but probably do not survive for more than 12 years in the wild. Thorold's deer is found only in scattered populations across its former range, although

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594-426: The mother locates a secluded den, often in bushes or shrubby cover. The calves are born with white spots, and able to stand within about 40 minutes of birth. Initially, the mother protects them by moving them between a number of different locations, only visiting them twice a day to allow them to suckle. After about two weeks, they rejoin the herd. The calves' spots begin to fade after around six weeks, and they attain

621-740: The nose, and the throat just below the chin. Adult male Thorold's deer have antlers , measuring up to 110 cm (43 in) in beam length, and weighing up to 4 kg (8.8 lb). Compared with those of wapiti or red deer , the antlers are flattened with the first and second ("bez") tines noticeably far apart. The antlers can have up to seven tines, which all lie in the same plane. They are shed annually in March, reaching their full length by late summer. Other distinctive features include longer ears than most other deer, lined with white hair, and large metatarsal and preorbital glands . The hooves are broad and heavy, with unusually long dewclaws . The tail

648-558: The remoteness of its preferred habitat makes it difficult to study in detail. It faces threats from advancing human agriculture, including competition from domestic animals such as sheep , goats , and yaks . It is also hunted, for meat, antlers, and other body parts (such as the velvet ) used in traditional Chinese medicine . The species is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN and is a Class I protected species in China. The species has been farmed for its antlers in China and New Zealand , and

675-468: The weather cools in the autumn, they descend from their high-elevation spring-summer pastures, where the conditions are more comfortable (and the swarms of biting insects are less prolific), down to lower, wind-sheltered woodlands and valleys where they will stay for the duration of winter. Thorold's deer is a crepuscular animal, and normally lives in herds of at least 10 individuals, with bachelor male herds and female-juvenile herds staying separated until

702-460: The west of Ya'an and Chengdu ). Further to the west, in Qinghai, the species is commonly known from the areas around Yushu City and Nangqên , Zhidoi and Zadoi Counties , while the northern extent of their range appears to be the mountains between Jiuquan and Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture . With regards to habitat and environment, the white-lipped deer seems to favour

729-403: Was estimated that about 7,000 remained in the wild. Although the species was first described by Przhevalsky in 1883, it is also known as "Thorold's deer" because the specimens was procured by G. W. Thorold in 1892 and was described by W. T. Blanford as Cervus thoroldi in 1893. The former genus, however, is named after Przhevalsky ( Przewalskium ) and the species name ( albirostris ) comes from

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