Abstract: Species inventories are the fundamental basis for biodiversity research and conservation. Long-term monitoring of wildlife diversity and photographic evidence of the species are essential for updating the inventory. The Qilian County sector of Qilian Mountain National Park exhibits distinct variances in natural ecosystems from east to west, providing diverse habitats for wildlife communities. In the present study, a total of 187 infrared cameras were strategically placed at sites with spoors of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) or other sympatric wildlife within 5 km × 5 km grids. From September 2017 to December 2021, 44946 valid camera-days were accumulated, and 14330 independent and valid photographs were captured, including 466 snow leopard photographs. Utilizing this comprehensive dataset, a total of 78 distinct species were identified, including 27 mammalian species from five orders and 12 families, and 51 avian species from seven orders and 18 families. Nine species are designated as first-class protected species under China’s conservation legislation, while 20 are categorized as second-class protected species. Furthermore, 40 of the identified species were listed in the catalog of species with significant ecological, scientific, and societal value. In accordance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments, one species is classified as endangered (EN), three as vulnerable (VU), and five as near threatened (NT). Similarly, China’s Vertebrate Red List identified three critically endangered (CR) species, five endangered species, several vulnerable, and 17 near threatened species. Relative abundance index (RAI) analysis demonstrated that the most prevalent mammalian species in this region were blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur, RAI=128.18), Himalayan marmot (Marmota himalayana, RAI=50.17), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, RAI=11.30), woolly hare (Lepus oiostolus, RAI=10.72), and snow leopard (RAI=10.37). For avian fauna, the top-ranking species based on RAIs were black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros, RAI=8.30), Tibetan snowfinch (Tetraogallus tibetanus, RAI=5.18), red-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, RAI=3.87), rufous-necked snowfinch (Pyrgilauda ruficollis, RAI=4.32), and common magpie (Pica pica, RAI=3.65). We recorded three newly distributed species in the Qilian Mountains, including stoliczka’s mountain vole (Alticola stoliczkanus), Tibetan snowfinch (Montifringilla henrici) and Pallas’s leaf warbler (phylloscopus proregulus). Additionally, infrared cameras frequently captured evidence of livestock and human activities in the area (RAI=56.09).  These findings provide data support for both regional biodiversity inventories and effective wildlife protection strategies within the Qilian Mountain National Park.

Key words: Qilian Mountain National Park, infrared camera, mammal and bird diversity, species inventory, relative abundance index