Hainan Eld's Deer: Relocation program boosts population of rare species

CGTN

Updated: 2026-07-05

After nearly three years of conservation efforts, the relocated population of Hainan Eld's deer has grown to over 50 as of June 2026.

Listed as a first-class protected species in China, the Hainan Eld's deer are found exclusively on the island province and is recognized as a flagship species in the province's biodiversity conservation.

In 2023, authorities launched a relocation program to ease population pressure and address food shortages in the deer's original habitat.

Thirty deer were moved to a protected area in western Hainan, where rangers conduct regular patrols and provide round-the-clock monitoring. Today, the deer have adapted well to their new environment and are breeding naturally.

Zeng Zhigao, associate researcher at Institute of Zoology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said, "Hainan Eld's deer prefer marshy areas with water. There is a reservoir here, and in both the dry and rainy seasons, receding water leaves behind plenty of mudflats and grasses that provide food. There is also a relatively flat area of up to about 200 hectares, with mountains behind it, making it a suitable habitat for the deer."

Huang Huiwen, deputy head ranger at Hainan Eld's Deer Protection Station of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Administration, said, "We conduct patrols every day. We are divided into two groups. One group monitors the surveillance cameras, while the other patrols the reservoir area to ensure no unauthorized people enter. We also plant grasses and forage crops favored by the deer to ensure they have enough food."