As early autumn paints Yancheng's wetlands in golden hues, an ecological success story unfolds: herds of wild Pere David's deer, once nearly extinct, now roam freely across Jiangsu Province's Tiaozini Wetlands. These rare creatures, known as milu in Chinese, share their revitalized habitat with flocks of migratory birds traversing the East Asian–Australasian Flyway – a critical avian highway stretching from Siberia to Australia.
Conservationists credit the deer's resurgence to decades of habitat restoration and anti-poaching efforts. "This is more than species protection – it's about rebalancing an entire ecosystem," said Dr. Li Wei, a Nanjing-based ecologist. The wetlands now support over 600 Pere David's deer alongside 410 bird species, including endangered red-crowned cranes.
The area's transformation carries economic significance for Jiangsu's coastal development strategy, which prioritizes eco-tourism alongside traditional industries. Recent infrastructure improvements have made the wetlands more accessible to nature enthusiasts while maintaining strict environmental protections.
For the Asian diaspora and global travelers, the site offers a unique opportunity to witness China's biodiversity conservation efforts firsthand. Autumn brings particularly dramatic scenes as deer herds mingle with migrating shorebirds preparing for their transcontinental journeys.
