In March, the grass grows and warblers fly, a group of elk strolls leisurely on the grass, and several young deer shuttle among them from time to time... Recently, in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve, located on the side of the Yangtze River in Tianwanzhou, Hubei Province, the elk family welcomed a group of new members.
Established in 1991, Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve is rich in pasture and has a complete wetland ecosystem. Over the past 30 years, the elk population has multiplied and spread, gradually forming four small populations in the reserve, Dongsheng Sanheyuan, Xiaohe Yangbotan and Dongting Lake in Hunan Province, from 64 head introduced to more than 2500, all of which have achieved natural breeding and restored wild habits.
"Elk are in full bloom from late March to late May every year, and we have recently monitored about 150 young deer, and expect to have more than 350 newborn elk this year." Zhang Yuming, an engineer at the management office of Hubei Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve, introduced that pregnant doe is frightened and prone to abortion, and the newborn young deer are relatively thin and have little survival ability.
In the 1,567-hectare protected area, a team of two engineers and eight rangers silently tended the elk. Wang Chuanjun, who lives in a village around the reserve, became a ranger last year. "Formerly the elk's neighbor, now the elk's family, watching these live fawns is like watching your own children," he said. ”
Through telescopes, telephoto cameras, drones, video monitoring towers, infrared cameras and other tools, the patrol team carried out daily monitoring, annual rhythm cycle monitoring, population dynamic monitoring of more than 1,500 elk, and monitored and recorded meteorological data, hydrological data, surface water quality data, vegetation types and other wildlife conditions in the reserve. They also need to take on bayonet duty, emergency management, etc. Under their care, it became a suitable home for the elk population.
On April 28, two young deer frolic in the Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, several young deer followed the elk herd in the Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, a herd of elk was active in the Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, a herd of elk with young deer was active in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 29, engineer Zhang Yuming (right) and ranger Liu Jigao observe a herd of elk in the distance at the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve, ranger Liu Jigao observed a herd of elk in the distance. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, a herd of elk with young deer was active in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve. During pregnancy, does usually choose a more secluded place to give birth alone. Newborn young deer are weak, and does are usually fed alone for about a week before bringing them back to the herd. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, a herd of elk was active in the Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
A herd of elk moves in the Shitou Elk National Nature Reserve on April 28 (drone photo). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 29, in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve, ranger Liu Jigao filled in the patrol log. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 29, ranger Wang Chuanjun rode a bicycle in the waist-high weeds in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
Ranger Wang Chuanjun inspects barbed wire in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve on April 29. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun
On April 28, in the Shishou Elk National Nature Reserve, ranger Liu Jigao observed a herd of elk in the distance. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Zhizun