In recent years, with China's ecological protection and anti-poaching efforts, the population of the Tibetan antelope has made a comeback, to the point that their protection level has been downgraded from endangered to a near-threatened species.

The number of Tibetan antelopes in China has increased from fewer than 70,000 in the 1980s and 1990s to nearly 300,000 currently, according to a recent statement released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Tibetan antelopes are mostly found in the plateau region of Northwest China, including the Tibet autonomous region, Qinghai province and the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The species is under first-class state protection in China.

The Hoh Xil nature reserve has not reported any poaching for more than 10 years and the population of Tibetan antelopes in the area has recovered.