Raised in reeds, milu find a home to roam

Populations of the large deer in the Dongting Lake area are on the rise thanks to efforts of conservationists

CHANGSHA－Milu, also known as Pere David's deer, are herd animals that usually shun humans, but when Diandian comes into contact with people at a nature reserve in Yueyang, Hunan province, she is calm.

Eight years ago, 1-week-old Diandian was left behind by her herd. When people found her in the reeds of a lake, she looked too weak and emaciated to survive.

Raised by keepers at the East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve, Diandian gradually started treating people as her friends. Today, she is the mother of three milu, thanks to the attention and care shown to her by staff members at the reserve.

"Most milu break into a gallop once someone approaches, but Diandian is deliberate in her actions and unhurried," said Li Zheng, a keeper at the reserve who has taken care of Diandian for years.

Li is also the president of a milu conservation association in Yueyang and head of a local milu and bird rescue center, where 11 deer, including Diandian, have their families.