This amazing species was unfortunately hunted to near extinction, before the Emperor of China established a large herd in his ‘Imperial Hunting Park’ where the deer thrived. Shortly after this, in May 1865, there were catastrophic floods in China, killing the entire population of Pere David’s deer. Fortunately the captive populations in Europe bred well, and in 1986 a small group of 39 individuals was reintroduced to the Dafeng Nature Reserve in China. Sadly, this species is classified as Extinct in the Wild, although conservation measures are ongoing. The Chinese people call this mammal ‘sze pu shiang’ which translates as ‘none of the four’. This strange name refers to the deer’s appearance as it looks like it has the neck of a camel, hooves of a cow, the tail of a donkey, and antlers of a deer. Find out more here: arkive.org/pere-davids-deer/elaphurus-davidianus/image-G9133.html
Posted on: Mon, 05 May 2014 11:30:01 +0000
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