The population of milu in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been growing steadily, reaching 74 after the first batch of 27 deer was introduced in 2021, according to the regional forestry and grassland bureau.

This marks a major achievement in China's efforts to rebuild a rare species population in alpine and frigid zones north of 40 degrees north latitude.

Milu, a rare species worldwide, have been successfully reintroduced into the wild in China. On September 29, 2021, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and the China Wildlife Conservation Association jointly released 27 milu into the Daqingshan National Nature Reserve in Inner Mongolia.

In May 2022, nine milu fawns were born. It was the first generation of offspring born to the milu that were released into the wild in the region. It was also the first time a wild milu population was established in the transition zone between north China and the Mongolian plateau region.

According to researchers, the deer were fitted with BeiDou satellite positioning collars to track their movements and home ranges in real time. During breeding seasons, a dual monitoring system combining 24-hour infrared cameras and on-site human observation was activated.

Measures such as winter supplementary feeding, wetland restoration, water source improvement and controlled human disturbance have been implemented to continuously optimize their living environment.

Through several consecutive years of natural breeding during calving seasons, the total milu population in Inner Mongolia has reached 74, an increase of 174% compared to the initial release. The population has maintained natural reproduction for five years in a row, indicating a more balanced age structure and expanding range.

Milu, also known as Pere David's deer, are endemic to China where they bear the nickname "sibuxiang," or "like none of the four" due to their unique features – a horse's face, a donkey's tail, cow-like hooves and a stag's antlers.

The milu is under first-class national protection in China. Thanks to years of dedicated efforts, China's captive-bred milu population has grown significantly, and wild populations have been reestablished, making the species a successful example of global wildlife population restoration. Currently, its population exceeds 14,000 across the country.

For more: IUCN officially adopts the name 'Milu' for the animal formerly known as 'Pere David's Deer'