The Pere David's deer (also known as Milu) originally occurred in northeastern and east-central China, but it apparently became extinct in the wild at least 1000 years ago. Hunting is thought to have been the main reason for the original decline of the wild Pere David's deer. It survived in parks, and in the 1800's a French missionary and naturalist, Father ("Pere" in French) David, observed the animals in the last remaining Chinese herd. Word of this aroused great interest in Europe, and subsequent efforts resulted in a number of these animals being sent to Europe. The remaining deer in China ultimately perished in the early 1900's, mostly due to floods and the unrest during the Boxer Rebellion. This deer is unique in that it enjoys water and can actually swim. The Chinese call this deer "sze pu shiang" which means something to the effect of 'none of the four'. This odd name refers to this deer's supposed ownership of the neck of a camel, the hoofs of a cow, the tail of a donkey, and the antlers of a deer, though it is not completely like any one of these animals. *www.ultimateungulate.com* Taken in Aldergrove at the GVZ, B.C.