The History of China Scientific Expeditions to the Great Canyon

--- In Autumn 1973, a team of 8 scientists went into the Great Canyon for the first time, as part of the Qing -Tibet Plateau Scientific Expedition by Chinese Academy Science. We walked in the canyon for 15 days, from Paiqu to White Horse & Bear. 

--- In September 1974, we went in again. We started from Paiqu, through Mt. Dushula, arrived Motuo. During 3 months Expedition, we finally reached the top of the Great Canyon - Zhaqu.

--- In 1980's, China Climbing Expedition challenged the summit of Mt. Namcha Barwa, Chinese Academy of science organized a Scientific Expedition to the Great canyon again. This time we spent 2 years in the canyon.

--- During 1990 - 1997 period,  >100 scientists of 26 scientific fields went into the Canyon region for investigation and research projects.

--- 1998 Oct. - Dec. China Academy of Science and China Scientific Expedition Association organozed 57 famous scientists & mountaineers trekking through the last unexplored area - the :Inner Gorge" of the Great Canyon. (The red line area on the right map)

Fight King Cobra

It was a long term scientific debate : does Cobra existed on Tibet Plateau? 

On 24 July 1983, our expedition team was in Motuo County. That was  a Menba people village called Sila Village which was built on the slope on river side. It's elevation was 900 meters above sea level only. Many tropical plants were growing there. 
Our biological group investigated several days here, they found some interesting little animals, but never met Cobra. We planned to move on, the whole population of the village (about hundred people) came around us to say good bye. At this moment, a Menba man run near and said: Big "Busina" (Menba language : Snake".  

Little Li, our young zoologist, got excited anytime he heard the word "Snake". 
|"Where is it? Where is it?" Little Li asked the man.
The Melba man waved his hands, moved his body, but could not explain in Mandarin language. Finally we called our interpreter, then understood that it was yesterday, the Melba man saw a huge snake in the forest, he was frightened.
We asked him to guide us go that place. He refused immediately. Menba people regard snake as religious item, if bitted by it that means the punishment from God. We tried to explain to him about the scientific reason for long time. Finally he showed us the forest.

It was a virgin forest nearby the Yalung Tsangpu river. There was no any pathway, the dead leaved covered our feet, the nets of trees and climbing plants blocked the sunlight. Our Tibetan guides used knives to open a space for us to through.

When we almost reached the river side, the Manba man stopped and said; "Near here". The atmosphere became cautioned, we searched the scrubs . . .
Hi, it's here. A big black snake stayed on a grass slope.
We looked around the situation, it was difficult to approach the snake. It circled itself staying on a rock and the outside of the rock was the cliff. 
Little Li wanted to see what kind of snake it is, he picked up a small stone threw towards the snake. He threw 3 times, that snake didn't move a bit.
the Tibetan guide cut off a branch, about 2 meters long, and gave it to Little Li.
Little Li climbed onto a rock on the cliff. He planned to use the branch the fix the head of the snake first then be able to catch it.

Who knows, before he even touched it, suddenly the neck of the snake getting bigger, its  head  raised to a height of half meter, preparing to attack enemy.
"King Cobra!" Little Li shouted. He called another zoologist Yang use shut gun.
At the second of the King Cobra attacking Little Li, Yang opened fire.
The king Cobra was wounded, but not died. It continually raised its head, spread it toxic fluid, trying to attack again. 

Without any hesitation, Little Li threw the branch to catch the head of the King Cobra, but could not fix it. He shouted to the nearby guide to help handle the branch. When the guide hold the branch, Little Li loose his hands trying to catch the snake's neck. 
The guide was frightened, he threw the branch away and  running back.
The King Cobra was free, its head raised again.

Little Li forgot anything, but jumping to hold the neck ("Seven inches") of the King Cobra. The king Cobra cycled and tied his whole body, tight and tight, Little Li almost fallen. At this dangerous moment, Yang jumped to the King Cobra and helping Li to hold its neck. Both sides stressed at least 5 - 6 minutes. Finally the King Cobra was catch and put into a bag.

What a fight! Little Li and Yang's bodies were both complete wet.

Afterwards, Little Li used fork slightly opening the grass underneath the King Cobra, Surprisingly there were 25 white cobra eggs, Some of it near mature. He collect it carefully and put into another bag.

We stayed one more day in Sila Village. Detailed study proved that this was a real King Cobra, over 2 meters length and 4 kg in weight. This is the largest and the most aggressive toxic snake. It used to attack animals and people, major distribution in South Asia.

This was the first time discover it living in Tibet. Preciously it was doing proliferation naturally. 

A new record of  Tibet ecology and zoology.