BEIJING, September 14 -- Some rare animal species such as leopards and spotted deer have been found in the suburban areas of Beijing, the "Beijing Daily" reported Friday.

Beijing has 57 kinds of wild animals including jackals, wolves, leopards and wild boars, the paper quoted Wang Minzhong, director of the Beijing Municipal Wildlife Protection Center, as saying.

Investigation results show leopards live in Beijing's five suburban districts. Experts estimate the number at below 10. At times, the leopards have come down from the mountains in winter and stolen sheep from farmers' pens.

Residents at the Ming Tombs Township often spot monkeys who climb up trees to pick dates and peaches or take maize from the fields.

-- source: Xinhua News Agency

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