The first Procapra Przewalskii, a rare antelope species unique to China to be bred in captivity, is expected to be born in just a few days in northwest China's Qinghai province.

A typical Procapra Przewalskii is 110 to 120 centimeters long and weighs about 15 kilograms. The animal once roamed the vast pasture areas of the northern Inner Mongolia, and Ningxia Hui autonomous regions, and northwestern Gansu and Qinghai provinces, but now it lives only on and around Qinghai Lake, the largest saltwater lake in the country renowned for its charming and lively islet.

The expectant mother antelope, called "Lin Lin", was found by a local herdsman and sent to the State Nature Reserve of the Qinghai Lake two years ago. The nature reserve administration helped "Lin Lin" find a "spouse" and she got pregnant earlier this year.

There are less than 200 Procapra Przewalskiis worldwide, which are dwindling in numbers due to increasing human activities, including the construction of highways, the increasing presence of tourists and the fact that grassland is fenced in for grazing domestic animals.

Assaults by wolves and inbreeding among such antelopes have, among other factors, led to their decrease in number, according to zoologists.

"We have made full preparation to greet the baby, including inviting veterinarians to check up 'Lin Lin'. The result shows she is in a good condition," said Zhang Dehai, chief of the administration.

China has six antelope species, the other five of which are Procapra gutturosa, Procapra picticaudata, Gazella subgutturosa, Saiga tatarica and Pantholps hodgnosi.

(Xinhua News Agency August 18, 2003)