Mammals
Pere David's Deer
Elaphurus davidianus · also called milu
Grazing across a Chinese wetland reserve today, a Pere David’s deer represents a species that vanished entirely from the wild over a century ago, saved only because a handful of individuals had already been taken into European deer parks before it was too late.
Overview
Pere David’s deer, Elaphurus davidianus, also known as the milu, is a wetland and grassland deer historically native to China, extinct in the wild for over a century before recent reintroduction efforts. Its complete disappearance from its native range, survival entirely through a small European captive population, and successful return to managed Chinese reserves make it one of the most remarkable conservation recovery stories among the world’s deer species.
A species saved by accident of history
Had a handful of individuals not been moved into European deer parks before the species vanished from the wild in China, Pere David’s deer would very likely be extinct today, a survival story that hinged entirely on decisions made generations before conservation became a coordinated global effort.
Status
Extinct in the Wild, with a growing population now maintained through reintroduction to managed reserves within its historical native range in China.
Pere David's Deer: common questions
Is Pere David's deer extinct?
This species went extinct in the wild in China, its only native range, more than a century ago, but it survived entirely through a small captive population maintained in European deer parks, from which descendants have since been reintroduced to reserves in China.
Why is Pere David's deer also called the milu?
This species is also known by its Chinese name, milu, a name still widely used in its native range today alongside the more Western common name.
How did Pere David's deer survive extinction in the wild?
This species survived because a number of individuals had been taken from Chinese imperial hunting grounds into European deer parks before the wild population disappeared, preserving the species entirely in captivity for decades.
Has Pere David's deer been returned to China?
Yes, this species was eventually reintroduced to China using descendants of the surviving European captive population, reestablishing managed and semi-wild populations within its historical native range.