Bawangling National Natural Reserve, Nature reserve in Changjiang Li and Baisha Li Autonomous Counties, China.
Bawangling is a nature reserve covering more than 8,000 hectares of tropical forest on Hainan Island. The land supports numerous plant and animal species that are native to this region.
The reserve was established in 1980 to protect native species whose populations were declining. This decision came from growing concern about loss of Hainan's natural environment.
The reserve sits within territories where the Li people live and maintain their knowledge of local plants and animals. Their presence shapes how the land is valued and protected today.
Access to protected areas requires permits from the reserve administration and following specific guidelines. It helps to plan ahead and learn the rules before visiting.
The reserve holds the last population of Hainan black crested gibbons, with only a handful remaining in the wild. These primates are among the rarest in the world.
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