Milu deer population keeps steady rise in China's Inner Mongolia

HOHHOT, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The population of milu deer in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been growing steadily, reaching 74 after the first batch of 27 deer was introduced in 2021, according to the regional forestry and grassland bureau.

This marks a major achievement in China's efforts to rebuild a rare species population in alpine and frigid zones north of 40 degrees north latitude.

Milu deer, a rare species worldwide, have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in China. On Sept. 29, 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the China Wildlife Conservation Association jointly released 27 milu deer into the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia. In May 2022, nine milu deer fawns were born. It was the first generation of offspring born to the milu deer that were released into the wild in the region. It was also the first time a wild milu deer population was established in the transition zone between north China and the Mongolian plateau region.

According to researchers, the deer were fitted with BeiDou satellite positioning collars to track their movements and home ranges in real time. During breeding seasons, a dual monitoring system combining 24-hour infrared cameras and on-site human observation was activated. Measures such as winter supplementary feeding, wetland restoration, water source improvement, and controlled human disturbance have been implemented to continuously optimize their living environment.

Through several consecutive years of natural breeding during calving seasons, the total milu deer population in Inner Mongolia has reached 74, an increase of 174 percent compared to the initial release. The population has maintained natural reproduction for five years in a row, indicating a more balanced age structure and expanding range.

Milu deer, also known as Pere David's deer, are endemic to China where they bear the nickname "sibuxiang," or "like none of the four" due to their unique features -- a horse's face, a donkey's tail, cow-like hooves and a stag's antlers.

The milu deer is under first-class national protection in China. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's captive-bred milu deer population has grown significantly, and wild populations have been reestablished, making the species a successful example of global wildlife population restoration. Currently, its population has exceeded 14,000 in the country. Enditem