Two male milu deer recently turned East Dongting Lake Nature Reserve into a real-life Netflix episode, locking antlers in a fierce duel for mating rights. The reigning ‘deer king’ – sporting branches and weeds tangled in his antlers like a warrior’s crown – defended his title against a younger challenger in a clash that left both stags battered but victorious for the elder.
Tech Meets Wildlife Conservation
The champion stag isn’t just strong – he’s tech-savvy. His BeiDou satellite collar (think deer AirTag 🛰️) reveals he’s a graduate of China’s captive breeding program, proving rewilded animals can thrive in nature. Researchers say this tracking tech helps protect the species that nearly vanished from China over a century ago.
From Near-Extinction to Ecosystem Comeback
Once wiped out in China due to hunting and climate shifts, milu deer made a glorious return through conservation efforts starting in 1985. Today, over 14,000 roam 92 habitats nationwide – with Dongting Lake’s population being the rewilding MVP 🏆. These living fossils now face brighter futures as China’s conservation strategies pay off.
