After being discovered in 1983 and spotted again in 1990, this species disappeared without a trace for over 20 years.
In today’s world, there are many species that we have yet to explore or even hear of. There are also creatures that are only known by name before vanishing completely. The Ili Pika is one such animal, and it wasn’t until over two decades later that scientists had the chance to photograph it.
The Ili Pika reappears after more than 20 years of absence. (Photo: CNN)
With a population of less than 1,000, the Ili Pika is one of the most endangered species in the world, even considered rarer than the giant panda.
The Ili Pika is a mammal belonging to the Ochotona family within the rabbit order, endemic to the northwestern region of China. It resides in the Tian Shan mountains of Xinjiang, China. Additionally, they can also be found in the northwestern United States and western Canada.
The Ili Pika lives at elevations of 2,800 to 4,000 meters. (Photo: CNN)
The Ili Pika can only be found at elevations between 2,800 and 4,000 meters. The Ili Pika measures about 20 cm in length, weighs around 180 grams, and has large ears. It has a coat of gray mixed with brown, short limbs, and round ears that give it a cute appearance, resembling a small bear. At a glance, the Ili Pika appears as adorable as a stuffed animal. Its diet mainly consists of local grasses and plants. Its predators include foxes, weasels, and birds of prey.
The Ili Pika typically takes advantage of the summer to forage for food. They spend the entire warm season storing food for the harsh winter. According to scientists, an Ili Pika will make about 10,000 trips during the summer to collect approximately 25 kg of food supplies.
They often forage in the summer to store for the cold winter. (Photo: CNN)
However, many Ili Pikas are “lazy,” opting to “steal” food from other Pikas. Due to this quirky habit, they have earned the nickname “adorable thieves.”
The Ili Pika was discovered by Li Weidong in 1983, who decided to name it after his hometown, Ili. Li recalls his first encounter with an Ili Pika: “I climbed a mountain for four hours. Just as I stopped to catch my breath, I suddenly saw the shadow of a tiny creature running past. I sat down by some rocks, and then a pair of rabbit ears popped up from a crevice in the nearby rocks. The little creature was looking at me and blinking. I thought it was the most beautiful and strange animal I had ever seen. I couldn’t believe my eyes.”
However, many Ili Pikas are “lazy” and take food from others. (Photo: CNN)
Scientists conducted a study on the Ili Pika and estimated that the population has decreased from 2,900 in the 1990s to about 2,000 in 2005. Currently, it is believed that there are only around 1,000 left. According to scientists, since its discovery, the population of this species has declined by 70%.
“These little creatures could become extinct at any moment. They will no longer exist in the places they once lived,” Li shared with CNN.
The Ili Pika originally inhabited elevations around 3,200-3,400 meters but has now been found at altitudes as high as 4,100 meters. In 2008, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified them as endangered. However, there has been no organization or group of experts intending to study or protect them.
The Ili Pika is at risk of extinction due to climate change and human activity. (Photo: CNN)
Global air pollution, climate change, and increased grazing pressure are considered major threats to this species. Another contributing factor is the overpopulation of humans in the foothills, which has gradually reduced their living area.
