is also rich in fauna resourced, ranking first in China in this respect and enjoying the fame “the Kingdom of Wildlife”. The province boasts 1,737 kinds of vertebrates, according for 58.9% of beasts, 51.1% of the total in China, among which there are 300 kinds of birds, 63.7% of the total; 143 reptiles, 37.6%; 102 amphibians, 46.4%; 366 fresh—water fish, 45.7%. of the 25,000 kinds of insects in China, 13,000 have been found in Yunnan.

Yunnan has a variety od wild animals and they are widely distributed. Wildlife resources here have three features: firstly, Yunnan is a habitat of numerous animal species of the tropical, temperate and frigid zones. Secondly, many animals can be found only in Yunnan. For instance, 249 species of fish in 40 genera among 5 families are Yunnan endemic species. Many ancient animals have survived here, e.g. ailurus fulgens styani and antelope, making Yunnan “the Gene Center of Wildlife Species”. Thirdly, many animals are under national protection. 46 species such as wild elephants, wild bulls, snub—nosed monkeys, gibbons, Panthera tigris animals; 154 species such as Assamese macaque, rhesus monkey, Presbytis phayei crepusculus, green peacocks, must deer and python are second—class state—protection animals. Besides, 33 animals like Prionodon prionodon and cobra are under provincial protection.