Meet the Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), a unique deer species native to China. It’s known as “sibuxiang,” which means “like none of the four,” because it resembles a mix of animals.
The Père David’s deer actually went extinct in the wild in the late 19th century, but thanks to conservation efforts in zoos, it was saved from disappearing entirely.
Here’s a closer look at this interesting species, its history, and its current conservation status.
About the Père David’s Deer
Père David’s deer, also known as milu, are a unique species with a story of near extinction and successful conservation.
Physical Characteristics
These deer have an unusual look, with antlers that point upward, long legs, and an elongated head. Unusually, they grow and shed two sets of antlers each year, not just one.
A mature Père David’s deer stands about 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) tall, is 6 to 7 feet (1.9 to 2.2 meters) long, and weighs from 300 to 440 pounds (135 to 200 kg).
Diet and Habitat
These deer are well adapted to marshy, wet environments, and they often wade and swim. They are herbivores, and their diet consists of grasses and aquatic plants.
Père David’s Deer Conservation
It’s only through conservation that this creature exists today. Père David’s deer became extinct in the wild due to overhunting and habitat loss.
A small population was preserved in European zoos, and now, thanks to successful reintroduction programs in China and protected reserves worldwide, the species is making a comeback.
The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is involved in conservation programs, and breeding programs are also contributing to the recovery. For instance, in just one reserve, 13 fawns were born in 2023, and 14 were born in 2020.
Despite the good news, Père David’s deer are still threatened, primarily by human activity and habitat loss. Continued conservation efforts are essential to the long-term survival of this unique animal.
Final Thoughts
The story of the Père David’s deer is a hopeful one. Ongoing conservation efforts are working, especially when zoos collaborate to improve the species’ genetic diversity.
With continued conservation efforts and reintroduction programs, there’s a good chance that these unique deer will thrive once again in their native habitats.