06/06/2026
With fewer than 1,000 individuals estimated left in existence, the critically endangered Ili pika (Ochotona iliensis) is now rarer than the giant panda.
This incredibly elusive mountain-dwelling mammal, famously dubbed the "magic rabbit," has made a monumental reappearance, being successfully spotted and photographed in the wild for the first time in more than two decades.
The rare animal was rediscovered by its original finder, conservationist Li Weidong, who initially discovered the species back in 1983. While tracking wildlife in China’s remote Tianshan Mountains, Li and his research team spotted the mammal popping out from a gap in the cliffside, allowing them to capture the first clear images of the species since the early 1990s.
Since its initial scientific discovery, the Ili pika population has experienced a catastrophic decline, plummeting by nearly 70%. This crash is driven by a combination of rising global temperatures, severe habitat fragmentation, and increased grazing pressure from domestic livestock. Because they live strictly on bare, high-altitude rock faces at elevations between 2,800 to 4,100 meters, they have nowhere higher to retreat as their alpine ecosystems warm up.
Despite its critical status, the Ili pika currently lacks a dedicated official conservation reserve or targeted government protection program. Li Weidong and fellow biologists hope this incredible visual rediscovery will finally push international wildlife groups to fund active sanctuary initiatives.