Species · GBIF taxon 2440938
Pere David's Deer
Elaphurus davidianusAlso known as Milu, Elaphure
Père David's deer possess a bizarre mix of features, historically described by Chinese locals as having the neck of a camel, the hooves of an ox, the tail of a donkey, and the antlers of a stag. These highly aquatic deer spend hours wading in deep water, using their wide, splayed hooves to navigate muddy marshlands with ease. Though once extinct in their native Chinese wetlands, dedicated captive breeding in European estates saved them, paving the way for modern reintroduction efforts.
Semi-aquaticExtinct in WildUnique Antlers
Licensed referenceLilly M / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Extinct in the WildConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinct in the WildRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Grasses, sedges, and aquatic vegetation
Predators
- Tigers
- Leopards
- Wolves
ThreatsHabitat loss, historical overhunting, and genetic bottlenecks
HabitatsWetlands, marshes, and river valleys
Life span15 to 18 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderArtiodactyla
- FamilyCervidae
- GenusElaphurus
- SpeciesElaphurus davidianus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Stags can be aggressive during the autumn rut; observe from a safe distance behind sanctuary barriers.
- Why it is dangerous
- Stags grow large, heavy antlers and become highly territorial and aggressive during the autumn rutting season.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Stags in rut will actively thrash vegetation, coat their antlers in mud, and emit loud, roaring bellows.
- What to do
- Never enter enclosures or approach free-ranging stags; maintain a barrier or a distance of at least 50 meters.
- What to notice
- Look for a long, bushy tail, deeply splayed hooves adapted for mud, and antlers where the main tines point backward.
- Support conservation
- Support certified conservation reserves and avoid disturbing reintroduced herds in China's protected wetlands.
Responsible observation
- Sanctuary Viewing: Observe these deer in managed reserves or zoos, as they currently exist only in captivity or reintroduced semi-wild herds.
- Rutting Season Caution: Keep a respectful distance from stags during the autumn breeding season when they decorate their antlers with mud and grass.
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Found in Collections
Ecosystem chain
The Forest Floor
Pere David's Deer is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
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