LANZHOU -- Snow leopards and jackals were spotted at Anxi National Nature Reserve in Northwest China's Gansu province, said staff from a local nature reserve.

The reserve's administrative staff said that at least three snow leopards and eight jackals were spotted. Footage showed they were climbing over snowy mountains in pairs searching for food.

"This is the largest population of the two species ever spotted in the reserve," said Pei Pengzu, a researcher in the reserve.

Anxi National Nature Reserve is the only nature reserve in China focused on protecting ecosystems and biodiversity of extremely arid deserts, according to Pei.

There are 210 terrestrial vertebrate species in the reserve, among which eight, including snow leopards and jackals, are first-class protected wild animals in China.

Pei said more rare animals have been spotted in recent years, and the reserve has become an important habitat for wild animals under national key protection.