Milu Deer Return to Ancestral Home in Tianjin Wetland

A group of milu deer is currently adjusting to their historical habitat within the Qilihai Wetland in Tianjin. The herd, consisting of 58 deer, was relocated on March 19th following a 16-hour trip from the Dafeng Milu Deer National Nature Reserve in Yancheng, Jiangsu province.

Milu deer, also recognized as Pere David's deer, have a historical connection to the Qilihai Wetland, situated in Tianjin's Ninghe district.

Evidence suggests the deer have occupied the wetland for millennia. Archaeological discoveries in the area have unearthed over 30 fossilized and semi-fossilized milu antlers, with ages ranging from 3,000 to 4,000 years. Unfortunately, in recent times, the environmental conditions of the Qilihai Wetland deteriorated, leading to a decline in the local milu population.

The recent relocation of the deer is part of a larger effort to reintroduce the native species and promote the conservation of the wetland environment.