About the Tibetan Antelope
The Tibetan name for this unique animal is Chiru. The Chiru is one of the only large mammals endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and is only found in China, with very small populations in India. They like alpine environments and desert steppe with below-freezing average temperatures and short growing seasons.
Tibetan antelopes are one of the world’s most resilient animals and can live in -40 degree (F) weather. They can survive these temperatures because of their unique undercoat called “shahtoosh,” which is ironically also the reason for their demise. Shahtoosh is considered the finest wool in the world but requires the death of the antelope to be removed. They are incredible runners, reaching speeds of 60-100km/h despite the thin atmosphere of the Plateau. This is possible because of numerous air sacs in its nostrils, allowing it to absorb more oxygen. Despite being fast runners, living in packs on the open steppe makes them very susceptible to poachers.
Female Chirus migrate each year, making a 300km trek to their traditional birthing grounds. Unfortunately, because of the harsh conditions of the region, at least two-thirds of the young do not reach the age of two, and survival in the first year is very low. The protection of calving areas is essential to conserve remaining antelope populations
The male antelope's face is adorned with two black/brown patches that, when mating in winter become darker, giving the appearance of a mask. With their winter masks, the people of the Plateau liken them to stealthy knights questing for a partner in the pure white snow. .

Tibetan Antelopes are Endangered
Although these graceful creatures lived in the millions on the Plateau as early as the turn of the 20th century, their numbers have since been reduced by over 90%. It is suspected that there are only roughly 50,000 still in the wild, and the Chinese government estimates poachers kill 20,000 a year. The Tibetan Antelope lives primarily on the Tibetan Plateau and is endangered because of its unique undercoat, called “shahtoosh” (Persian for “king of wools) which is purported to be the finest and warmest wool in the world. Unlike other wools that can be obtained from shearing, the only way to get shahtoosh is by killing the antelope. It takes 3-5 antelopes for just on shawl.

What you can do
The demand for these shawls continues to fuel the endangerment of this unique and peaceful animal. By purchasing substitutes of equal quality, like pashmina and yak wool, informing others and asking high-end retailers not to carry it, you can decrease the demand for shahtoosh, help turn the tide for the chiru, and support local Tibetan communities.

Legal Status
They are protected under Appendix I of the United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, which prohibits any international trade in their products.

The Tibetan Antelope in Chinese culture
The Tibetan antelope is the mythical king of the Qiang people who live in western China. There are many famous poems, some from as far back as 2,000 years ago, about this magnificent creature. For example:
This is the homeland of the Tibetan antelope
Swift and agile
On this ground
He regally holds his horns high
With lightning speed and agile step
Running like a bolt shooting through the sky
His ears so alert he can hear birds flying in mountain ranges away
His green, perceptive eyes, exquisitely aware of all
This is the King of Qiang, the Plateau’s magnificent antelope
The wizard of the green rolling hills

The Tibetan Plateau
The Plateau is a rugged area of high altitude - 85% of the area has an altitude of over 3000 meters, and about 50% of the area is above 4500m. In the 8th century, an anonymous poet depicted the Tibetan Plateau writing: 
She is the center of heaven,
She is the core of earth,
She is the heart of world, .
The snow surrounds her.
Many lofty mountains, .
Her earth is barren,
So the rivers can all spring forth from here.

Thriving in the beautiful but harsh Plateau, the Tibetan Antelope represents the Olympics spirit of “higher, swifter, stronger.”
Higher-They live on Tibetan Plateau, at an average of 4000m above sea level
Swifter-Despite the high altitude, they can reach speeds of 60-100km/hr.
Stronger – Not even the cold, anoxic environment can slow their step.Olympic Sports:
Hockey