Père David's Deer

Elaphurus davidianus

Conservation Status

Extinct in the Wild

Mammalia · Artiodactyla · Cervidae

About

Père David's deer, also known as the milu or elaphure, is a species of deer native to the subtropical river valleys of China. It grazes mainly on grass and aquatic plants. It is the only extant member of the genus Elaphurus. Some experts suggest demoting Elaphurus to a subgenus of Cervus. Based on genetic comparisons, Père David's deer is closely related to Eld's deer.

Fun Fact

Père David's deer went extinct in the wild in the late 1800s and survived only in the private imperial hunting garden of Beijing — all living individuals descend from 18 deer sent to European zoos.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Marshlands and river valleys

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

18-20 years

Threats

Dam Construction
Wetland Drainage
Genetic Bottleneck
Water Pollution

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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