By Xinyi Li, EDITOR

Recently, a citizen found a female dwarf musk deer when driving on Mount Jinfo (Gold Buddha Mountain) at night. Immediately, Mount Jinfo National Nature Reserve dispatched forest rangers to strengthen the patrol in this area. Meanwhile, they also actively sought support from the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the PRC. They installed infrared cameras in the wild and conducted a comprehensive survey of their distribution on the mountain.

A citizen found a female wild deer when driving on Mount Jinfo (Gold Buddha Mountain) at night

Based on videos and photos taken by infrared cameras, Dwarf musk deers are in good condition in the wild. After field investigation, researchers also found their footprints, excrement, and fur in the wildwood area of the mountain.

The image from the infrared camera

Wild dwarf musk deer

According to experts, in the 1960s, there were over one million wild dwarf musk deer in China. While now, the total number of them nationwide is less than 100,000. Through this population investigation, we learn that there are less than 100 wild dwarf musk deer in Chongqing. And, a small amount of them is in Daba Mountain and Gold Buddha Mountain.

They are on the endangered species list

Actually, in 1958, Chongqing Institute of Medicinal Plant Cultivation began to raise and train the dwarf musk deer. The above-mentioned institute is located on the northern slope of Gold Buddha Mountain. Sixty years have passed. After the efforts of three generations of researchers, their current population in the breeding ground has reached 105.

People are trying to do artificial feeding to protect the species

The coat color of dwarf musk deer has a very distinct feature. On both sides of their neck, there are relatively wide white strip patterns that extend all the way to the underarm. An adult dwarf musk deer weighs less than ten kilograms. Its small build enables it to respond rapidly and climb flexibly.

The musk secreted by male deer is a precious spice and traditional Chinese medicinal material

We can tell the gender of an adult dwarf musk deer from its teeth. The teeth of female dwarf musk deer are not exposed. While, the tusk-like eyeteeth of the male one are well-developed, long and sharp and they are exposed outside the mouth. Furthermore. the musk secreted by male deer is a precious spice and traditional Chinese medicinal material. Its unit price is several times higher than gold, so we also call it “soft gold”.

Source: Chongqing Broadcast Group