The Tibetan brown bear
a close relative of the grizzly
tries to dig the pikas out of their burrows
Even hard-frozen soil presents little obstacle to a determined bear
The wily Tibetan fox is quick to spot any opportunity
True to form, the crafty fox claims the prize
A combination of inaccessibility, and ancient traditions which forbid hunting, means that in some parts of the plateau, wild animals have remained relatively undisturbed, even today.
But in those areas which are within reach of motor vehicles
these historical safeguards have been undermined
This change is illustrated in the fortunes of the chiru
A century ago, millions migrated across the plateau
Unfortunately for the chiru, its fur   known as "shahtoosh" or "king of wools"   is highly prized
In recent decades  poachers have been able to venture deep into the wilderness   killing thousands of chiru