In the misty wetlands of Jiangsu Province, rangers at Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve are rewriting the survival story of China’s iconic milu deer. Meet Yao Yajun, a guardian of these graceful creatures known as 'Sibuxiang' (四不像) for their unique mix of features resembling horses, deer, cows, and donkeys 🦌✨.
Once nearly extinct due to habitat loss, the deer now thrive under 24/7 protection. Rangers patrol vast marshes to rescue trapped or injured animals, using drones and thermal cameras. 'It’s like a wildlife ER out here,' Yao laughs, describing how teams once freed a calf stuck in mud during flood season 🌧️⚡.
The reserve’s population has soared to over 8,000 deer – a conservation win celebrated globally. But challenges remain: climate extremes and human encroachment keep rangers on high alert 🚨. Local schools now host 'deer ambassador' programs, while eco-tours fund habitat expansion. 'They’re living fossils,' says a visiting biologist. 'Protecting them means preserving our ecological heritage.'
