Rare Animals in China: take one minute to meet China's deer family

CGTN's Nature film crew, which has covered 18 provinces and municipalities in China, have seen a variety of animals in the country. One of the animals that they encounter most is deer. China is the country with most enriched ungulate species. According to China's Mammalian Diversity (2015), it is home to 34 different species of deer. Take one minute to watch the video below, and you will meet 11 of China's deer family members recorded by CGTN's Nature film crew:

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Fortunately, deer are doing fine in China. They have a large, healthy population with well protected habitats. Most of deer are not rare in the country; however, some species are endangered and protected by wildlife law. Among the 34 species of deer, mouse deer and musk deer in China, 17 are under first or second class national protection.

Milu deer, or Pere David's deer. China's national protection level: I. IUCN Red List category: Extinct in the wild. The species was once on the brink of extinction; now there are thousands of them living in reserves in east China.

Sambar deer, or Rasa deer. China's national protection level: II. IUCN Red List category: Vulnerable.

Sika deer. When talking about deer, the first Chinese people may think of is the beautiful, spotted sika deer. China's national protection level: I. IUCN Red List category: Least concern.

Eld's deer, in picture is the Hainan subspecies. China's national protection level: I. IUCN Red List category: Endangered.

Red deer. China's national protection level: II. IUCN Red List category: Least concern.

Moose. It is the largest deer in the world. China's national protection level: II. IUCN Red List category: Least concern. Photo via VCG

Hog deer. China's national protection level: I. IUCN Red List category: Endangered. Photo via VCG

White-lipped deer, who is endemic in China. China's national protection level: I. IUCN Red List category: Vulnerable. Photo via VCG

Water deer. China's national protection level: II. IUCN Red List category: Vulnerable.

Chinese forest musk deer. China has six species of musk deer, all of which under second class national protection. And two of them are endemic to China. China's national protection level: II. IUCN Red List category: Endangered.

Technically, the mouse deer is no deer, but a little cousin to the deer family. It is under first class national protection in China. Photo via VCG

About Rare Animals in China

How many rare animals in China can you list? The panda, red panda, snub-nosed monkey, snow leopard... We want to make sure you can name 100 – or more.

China is home to rich biodiversity. This series focuses on the rare animals that inhabit China and under national protection. They need us, and the first step of protection is to know who they are.

(Video clip and all images with no other source credit to CGTN Nature film crew. Cover picture is a stillshot of the video, designed by CGTN's Chen Yuyang)

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at nature@cgtn.com.)