The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially adopted the Chinese name 'Milu' for the species formerly known as Pere David's Deer, marking a historic moment in global recognition of China's cultural and ecological heritage. The announcement came during 40th-anniversary celebrations at Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve in Hubei Province, where conservationists highlighted the deer's remarkable journey from near-extinction to symbol of cross-border environmental cooperation.
First documented in China's oracle bone scripts over 3,000 years ago, Milu deer hold unique cultural significance. Their distinctive appearance – described as 'four-unlikes' due to features resembling multiple animals – has been recorded in classical texts including the Book of Rites. Researcher Meng Qinghui from the Beijing Milu Ecological Research Center noted: 'This nomenclature change respects both scientific accuracy and cultural continuity, bridging ancient Chinese records with modern conservation practice.'
Since their reintroduction to the Chinese mainland in 1985 through UK-China collaboration, Milu populations have rebounded to over 10,000 across eight nature reserves. The species' recovery represents one of Asia's most successful conservation stories, offering valuable insights for endangered species management worldwide.
