article_snippet: The Ili Pika population is believed to have declined by almost 70 per cent since The Ili Pika population discovery in 1983, scientists say.
article_snippet: Nearly 20 years later, in 2002, Mr Li conducted a new demographic, which found that the population had dropped to 2,000.
article_snippet: Last year's fresh census, which is when The tiny Ili Pika was spotted for the first time in 20 years, concluded that the population is down to less than 1,000 pikas.
article_snippet: Rare animal: Chinese scientists believe that there are less than 1,000 Ili Pikas left in the world .
article_snippet: Disappearing: Ili Pika population is believed to have declined by 70 per cent since Ili Pika population discovery in 1983 . '
article_snippet: I discovered the species, and I watched as Ili Pika population became endangered,' Mr Li told CNN. '
article_snippet: Mr Li believes global warming is the cause of the decline in Ili Pikas as the altitude of permanent snow in the Tianshan mountain range has risen. '
highlights_snippet: Number of Ili Pikas is believed to be down 70 per cent since Number of Ili Pikas discovery, to less than 1,000 animals .