Tibetan Antelope Mass Migration: Timing, Duration and Reasons Explained

The Tibetan antelope is an animal that lives in alpine grasslands and cold high-altitude desert zones; it is a good runner and has a migratory habit.So when does the Tibetan antelope mass migration take place? How long does it last? Why do they migrate?

1. When does the Tibetan antelope mass migration take place?

At the end of April each year, male and female Tibetan antelopes begin to live in separate groups, and male calves under one year old also separate from the females. In May and June, the females and their female calves migrate to the calving grounds to give birth, and then the females lead their young back along the same route, completing one migration cycle. They forage in the morning and evening and are good runners. In summer, the females migrate north along a fixed route, and after calving in June and July they return to the wintering grounds and rejoin the males. A few populations do not migrate.

2. How long does the Tibetan antelope mass migration last?

The Tibetan antelope mass migration generally lasts as long as one month, and after calving they return to the wintering grounds. Moreover, the movements of Tibetan antelopes are very complex: some Tibetan antelopes stay in one place for a long time, while others have migratory habits. The activity patterns of female and male Tibetan antelopes differ. Adult female Tibetan antelopes and their female offspring migrate 300 km each year from the winter mating grounds to the summer calving grounds. Young male Tibetan antelopes leave the group and gather with other young or adult males, until eventually a mixed group is formed.

3. Why do Tibetan antelopes migrate?

The migration route of the Tibetan antelope can be as long as over a thousand kilometres round trip, but the reason for the migration remains an unsolved mystery to this day. Starting at the end of April and the beginning of May each year, the Tibetan antelopes living in the three major national nature reserves of Sanjiangyuan in Qinghai, Qiangtang in Tibet, China and Altun Mountain in Xinjiang in western China migrate to Zhuonai Lake in Hoh Xil, Qinghai, a World Natural Heritage site known as the “big delivery room”, beginning the “calving season”. Moreover, their migration is hailed as one of the most spectacular mass migrations of ungulates in the world.

4. Protection status of the Tibetan antelope

In the 1990s, Tibetan antelopes in Hoh Xil were slaughtered in large numbers, drawing worldwide attention. According to the Sanjiangyuan National Park Bulletin (2019), protection departments have continued to carry out large-scale, high-density special patrols and inspections, and Hoh Xil has achieved “zero occurrences” of poaching cases for 10 consecutive years.

Previous data from China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration indicated that the protection status of the Tibetan antelope has been downgraded from “Endangered” to “Near Threatened”, and its population has increased from fewer than 75,000 to more than 300,000. They are also listed as a first-class key protected animal under China's Wildlife Protection Law, and hunting and trade are prohibited without a permit.

According to forecasts, this year's Tibetan antelope migration and calving season will end in late July to early August. As for their migration, relevant personnel in our country will also carry out real-time monitoring and protection to prevent human disturbance.