Photo of Ranodon shihi. Screenshot of sohu.com

In Xiangyang, Central China's Hubei Province, staff of Baokang Wudaoxia Gorge Management Bureau came to the "no-man's land" as a routine patrol recently. They accidentally found that more than 10 world-class endangered species Ranodon shihi were foraging and swimming in a mountain stream.

The Ranodon shihi, known as "little salamander," is a species of primitive amphibian that has great value for the study of taxonomic and phylogenetic evolution of the Salamander family. 

However, they inhabit a narrow range, have a small population, and have been in danger of extinction due to excessive or improper capture methods. They were listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2014.

According to experts, the Ranodon shihi is extremely demanding of its living environment and cannot survive with any pollution. 

The fact that so many of Ranodon shihi have been found means that they can breed naturally in this area and have increased its population. It also shows that the nature reserve of Wudaoxia Gorge has good ecological resources, and the water is suitable for the species' growth. At present, the bureau has taken measures for further protection and research.