10-7-2023 (BEIJING) A rare species native to China, the white-coloured Milu deer, has been recently spotted in the Qilihai wetland area of North China’s Tianjin municipality. The group of Milu deer resides on an island within the wetland, which is a designated nature reserve located in the Ninghe district, according to the district’s publicity department.
Before 2017, the wetland had been subject to excessive farming. However, in mid-2017, the local government suspended tourism activities and restricted farming, converting a significant portion of the area into a nature reserve. Thanks to these efforts, the deer population has reverted to a wild state, and their numbers have steadily increased.
The recent appearance of the wild deer came as a surprise. Experts have determined that this coloration is uncommon within the species and have confirmed that it is not albinism but rather albefaction, according to the Ninghe Publicity Department.
Yu Wensheng, a former keeper of the Milu deer, mentioned he approached the deer after spotting it. “The deer is quite unique compared to other males and shows no ambition toward females,” he said. He further explained that male deer enter a period of rivalry with other males for mates when reaching the age of three.
The white-colored Milu deer, a rare species native to China, has recently been spotted in the Qilihai wetland area of North China’s Tianjin municipality. https://t.co/ky0wIBQBtK pic.twitter.com/w53UHoEv0X
— China Daily (@ChinaDaily) July 8, 2023
