The varied habitats and wide altitudinal range make for a highly diverse and biologically important fauna. There are 170 vertebrate species, ten animals and two fish. This includes 27 state-protected rare and endangered species like the giant panda, golden monkey, gnue, white-lip deer, black-neck crane, swan, lovebirds, red-belly golden pheasant, leopards, forest musk deer, and otters.

Giant pandas are active in the region but have not been spotted within the Jiuzhai Valley boundaries for a number of years. One reason for this is a result of the flowering of Jiuzhai Valley's bamboo during the 1980's. Once bamboo flowers it almost inevitably dies and can take from 12 - 22 years to re-grow. The result of this was a loss of the panda's food source so it was necessary for them to move on to pastures new. In 2011 a lot of signs of panda activity, including droppings and feeding grounds, were spotted just outside of the national park boundaries. As the bamboo within the national park continues to re-grow it is hoped the panda will continue to thrive in the region.

223 species of bird have been recorded in Jiuzhai Valley National Park. These include the lesser kestrel, Chinese grouse, Sichuan Jay, snowy creek laughing thrush, rufus-headed robin and a sub species of Tengmalm's owl.

Source: JiuZhai

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