Overview
Père David's Deer appears on the Exotic Wildlife Association species list as Pere David's Deer — ESA: Endangered; CITES: Appendix I. [1]
Native range
The historic range of E. davidianus was northeastern and east-central China. Truly wild specimens disappeared from the area sometime around 200 A.D., but because a captive herd was maintaind in the Imperial Hunting Park, the species has survived. [2]
Size
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Lifespan
23 years (captivity, range); 18 years (captivity, average); 18 years (wild, average). [2]
Breeding & gestation
Gestation average 9.33 months; offspring per birth: 1; females mature at 27 months. [2]
Temperament & social structure
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Habitat needs
Historically, E. davidianus were probably found in the lowlands of China, swampy areas and reed-covered marshlands. [2]
Where they thrive (Texas / US)
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Space per animal
No verified species-specific stocking rate was found. Carrying capacity depends on rainfall, range condition and competing grazers—get a range/stocking assessment (NRCS or Texas A&M AgriLife).
Housing & shelter
Not verified from a primary source for this page.
Fencing
Texas Parks & Wildlife states game fences at least 8 ft high (woven-wire or high-tensile) are the only fully reliable deer-exclusion fence. That is the common high-fence standard for deer and antelope; a species-specific minimum for this animal was not found in a primary source. [3]
Natural diet
E. davidianus are herbivores and their diet consists mainly of grasses. During summer they will eat many aquatic plants. ADW diet type: herbivore, folivore. [2]
Feed & supplementation
For supplementation TPWD recommends a 16–20% crude-protein pelleted feed rather than corn (corn is only 7–10% CP). AgriLife cites ~6–7% CP for rumen maintenance and 13–16% CP for growth, antler production and reproduction (white-tailed deer data; applied to exotic deer by analogy). Mineral program: set with a nutritionist/vet; no verified species figure. [4][5][6]
Common health issues & parasites
Haemonchus contortus and Longistrongylus dominate abomasal worm burdens in free-ranging exotic antelope in Texas (sable, addax, blesbok studied); captive wild ruminants show anthelmintic resistance, so use fecal egg counts and fecal egg-count reduction tests instead of routine blanket deworming. [7][8]
Vet care & vaccination
No vaccines are labeled for this species in the US; any vaccination protocol is extra-label and should be set by a veterinarian experienced with exotic hoofstock. (No specific protocol was verified for this page.)
Handling & capture
Capture myopathy—muscle damage from pursuit, restraint and transport—is often fatal in wild ungulates. Minimize chase time and stress, avoid hot conditions, use appropriate chemical immobilization by a vet, and release/unload quickly. [9]
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Extinct in the Wild. [10]
Legal notes (general info, not legal advice)
Listed Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act (per the EWA list; confirm current status on USFWS ECOS). Interstate sale or transport of ESA-listed animals requires federal authorization. CITES: Appendix I. General information, not legal advice. USDA APHIS licensing under the Animal Welfare Act applies to dealers and exhibitors; check USDA and your state wildlife and animal-health agencies before buying, moving or selling. [1][11][12]
Sources
- Exotic Wildlife Association – Endangered Species List (ESA status & CITES appendix)
- Animal Diversity Web (Univ. of Michigan) – Elaphurus davidianus
- TPWD, Local Control Methods (deer damage): 8-ft woven-wire/high-tensile game fence
- TPWD, Specific Habitat Management Practices – White-tailed Deer (16–20% protein pellet; corn 7–10% CP)
- Tomeček, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension – Deer & goat co-management (6–7% CP maintenance; 13–16% CP growth/antlers/reproduction)
- Texas A&M AgriLife – Supplemental Feeding of White-tailed Deer
- Longistrongylus/Haemonchus in free-ranging exotic antelope in Texas (J. Wildl. Dis., PubMed 8355363)
- Anthelmintic activity in captive wild ruminants by fecal egg reduction tests (J. Zoo Wildl. Med. 2000)
- Breed et al. 2019, Understanding capture myopathy (Conservation Physiology, PMC6612673)
- IUCN Red List – Elaphurus davidianus (assessment page)
- USFWS ECOS – Listed Animals (current ESA status)
- USDA APHIS – Animal Welfare Act licensing & registration
Figures are taken from the numbered sources; items marked "not verified" could not be confirmed from a primary source and are intentionally left blank. Husbandry guidance is general—confirm with an exotic-animal veterinarian.