The milu deer, also known as Père David’s deer, is a unique animal with a compelling history of survival. Native to the subtropical river valleys of China, this species holds a significant place in global conservation efforts. Its distinctive appearance and remarkable journey from near extinction to a thriving population make it a subject of considerable interest, showcasing the impact of dedicated conservation.
Physical Characteristics
The milu deer possesses several distinguishing physical attributes that set it apart. Its antlers are unusual, featuring a main branched anterior segment with backward-extending tines. Males may grow two pairs per year; the larger set is usually dropped in November after the summer rut, with a potential second set growing by January and shed a few weeks later.
The milu’s hooves are large and splayed, an adaptation for navigating soft, marshy ground. It has a long, bushy, donkey-like tail ending in a black tuft. The summer coat is typically ochre to reddish-tan, with long, wavy guard hairs. The winter coat becomes woolier, duller gray, and has bright cream undersides. An adult milu can reach a body length of 180-190 cm, a shoulder height of 120 cm, and weigh around 135 kg.
A Species’ Resilience: From Extinction to Revival
The milu deer’s story is a testament to species resilience, marked by its return from near extinction in its native habitat. By the late 19th century, overhunting and habitat destruction decimated wild populations in China, leaving only one herd in Beijing’s Nanhaizi Imperial Hunting Park. French missionary Père Armand David brought specimens to Europe in 1865, where they found refuge in zoos.
When the remaining deer in China were lost around 1900 due to the Boxer Rebellion, the species’ survival depended entirely on these European captive populations. The 11th Duke of Bedford, Robin Russell, gathered 18 milu at his estate, Woburn Abbey in England, establishing the sole remaining herd. This private collection safeguarded the species for decades, despite fears that a single event could wipe out the entire population.
A reintroduction effort began in 1985 when 39 milu from Woburn Abbey were brought back to China with World Wildlife Fund support. These deer were released into the Beijing Milu Park, located on the former imperial hunting grounds. Further reintroductions followed, including 18 females in 1987 from Woburn Abbey. Later, deer from Beijing Milu Park were released into the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve and the Tian’ezhou Milu National Nature Reserve. By 2015, approximately 700 milu lived freely in China, with the global population estimated at over 6,000 animals.
Habitat, Diet, and Behavior
Milu deer prefer wetland environments, including marshes, swamps, and river valleys. Their splayed hooves are suited for navigating these soft, waterlogged terrains, allowing efficient movement, often in shallow water.
As herbivores, milu primarily graze on grasses and various aquatic plants. They spend hours wading in water, sometimes up to their shoulders, and are proficient swimmers. Milu are social animals that typically live in herds. During the summer breeding season (June-August), males fast and spar for mating rights, sometimes adorning their antlers with mud and vegetation. Milu can live up to 18 years, reaching sexual maturity around 14 months.