The once nearly extinct indigenous milu deer population has surpassed 7,000 in the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province.

The Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 2,667 hectares. In 1986, the first batch of 39 milu deer was introduced to the reserve from the United Kingdom.

The milu deer, also known as elk deer or Pere David's deer, is a species under first-class national protection in China. After more than 30 years of efforts in milu deer protection, the population increased, reaching 7,033 this year, the largest in the world.

A 200-hectare experimental zone designed specifically for milu deer was established within the reserve, with shallow and deep water areas, ponds and grasslands, simulating a completely wild environment.

In winter, the staff regularly feed the deer at fixed locations due to seasonal food shortages. 

(Cover image is a screenshot.)

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