Pere David's Deer

The Milu, otherwise known as "Pere David's Deer," has been threatened by expanding civilization, war, and natural disaster, and yet has managed a remarkable story of survival. The History Guy recalls the forgotten story of a species whose fate was inextricably intertwined with human history.

This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.

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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.

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Script by THG

#history #thehistoryguy #milu

[darrellsmith]

I think I'd like The History Guy to deliver my eulogy and finish it with "And that's history, that needs to be remembered."

[anthonyC]

The Bronx Zoo has maintained a herd of Père David Deer since 1946 and, including the four new fawns, has produced 165 offspring over the years. The species is bred at the Bronx Zoo as part of the Species Survival Program (SSP), a cooperative breeding program designed to enhance the genetic viability of animal populations in zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

[simonmcnicholas]

You are a historian... who deserves... to be commended

[Kenniii]

You had me on the edge of my seat the whole time rooting for Pere David's deer through its many perils. I was afraid to were going to tell us that the species had failed. So glad the men who fought to preserve them were men of honor and weren't just interested in owning a peculiar possession. They did the whole world a favor.

[kylebarton]

A quarter way through I thought that the deer had gone extinct. I teared up with joy when halfway through I found that they had not. As always, a freakin' wonderful presentation and highlight of my morning.

[raymondvandorpe]

Father David was a member of the Congregation of the Mission, more informally known as the Vincentians, after their founder St. Vincent De Paul. I am a member of that order and know well the story of Father David's introduction of the panda to the western world, but I never heard about his role in discovering the Milu. Thanks, HG!

[alexstreet]

Restoring my faith in humanity. Thanks history guy. Mankinds one redeeming feature is cooperation - Beatard Russell

[sparky]

I thought, History Guy was gonna say, "A horse, an ox, a deer, and a donkey ...walk into a bar"!

[monkeygraborange]

Oddly, I was watching an "Off the Ranch" video yesterday where Matt Carricker pointed out a David's deer, which intrigued me because I had never heard of them before... and now this! Thanks for answering my question which I never really asked!

[netassassinsecurity]

What a great video! My wife and I have our own conservation program for these beautiful deer.

The deer are very kind and gentle animals, are inquisitive, and playful. We have lots of video of the main bull in our herd juggling sticks in his antlers. He tosses them into the air and catches them, tussles them about in his antlers and then tosses them up into the air again to repeat the process.

We have had a lot of success in breeding them, and always try to add new ones to our ever growing herd. They free range around the property, swim in the lakes, and have made friends with the wildebeests - both herds protecting the young of the other herd. The deer are slightly smaller than a quarter horse for reference on size. They are also very vocal.

They use various honks and grunts to communicate with each other. We love to see them and even hear them. The large hooves he talks about work great in sand and allow them to swim very quickly. They have webbing between the toes of their hooves, and they are very beautiful to see in a lake swimming in water up to their heads. As a consequence of that webbing, when they walk their hooves are spread out while under the weight of their bodies, so when they lift their foot to take a step the toes of the hooves come together and make a clicking sound. It sounds a lot like castanets. So when a group of them goes walking together you can hear them long before you get a glimpse of them. They are also very fast. We have many species of deer, and we keep our own horses. The Père David are faster than any animal on the preserve. They can outrun thoroughbred horses with ease.

They are also tough, and are very protective of their herd. As with most deer, they are explosive in their movements and are amazingly powerful. A visitor let their French Mastiff loose, violating our rules on leashing pets that visit (therapy and service animals are the only ones allowed on the property.) the mastiff ran towards one of the Père bulls. The Père lowered his head in a warning to the dog. The mastiff wouldn’t return to its owner and decided to charge the Père. The Père waited until the mastiff was close, not twitching one bit, and snapped its head up lifting the mastiff off the ground using its antlers. In that movement it hurled the 100+# mastiff through the are more than 100’. When the mastiff regained its footing the Père grunted at it and took one single step towards it and lowered its head again - the mastiff ran back to its owner and wanted nothing to do with the deer after that.
We love this species of deer and our goal is to continue breeding them so that we can help provide more back into the wild.

[kathyhester]

I had never heard of Milu/Pere David's Deer until now. Thank you for informing us about this animal and its survival. Sort of looks like it was created out of spare parts.

[JagerLange]

"I protect secrets of the Celestial Kingdom and no outside eyes must see them."
"I'll give you a hat."
"Yeah go on then."

[raydunakin]

Once again, another fascinating story!

[darrellscholl]

Hoots for P.D. Deer! They could have been gone a long time ago. But the efforts of a few men saved them so we can see them today. Happy ending.T.Y. History Guy!

[steveshoemaker]

Some people really care about things like a blessing they are...Thanks

[davidhunt]

From the title, I was wondering why I should bother hearing a story about a deer, and how could that possibly be of interest to me. Well, THG, you win.

[bitsaurus]

Paused the video before Mr. Guy even spoke because I have to say, that was, by far, the best intro to a video, ever. Think I'll rewind now...

[AndersJensenTH]

Vitus Bering, the Bering Strait and the discovery of Alaska is History that deserves to be remembered. From when Peter the Great ordered the expedition to start, what they carried across the two continents to where they built the ships, and how they found Bering Island and Alaska.
Would love to hear you, The History Guy, tell the story.

[katmandudawn]

Pere David deer were some of the first animals at the newly started Smithsonian Conservation Center in Front Royal Va in 1975.
The center was on the site of a former "Remount Station".
It was one of only 3 remounts in the country used to gather, break, and ship out horses and mules for the US military.
It was providing animals into the second world war.

Later, the land and buildings were repurposed for the Smithsonian Conservation Center.

I had mentioned the Remount station for a possible topic for a THG video in another comment section.

If you visit Virginia to research the Remount station you should look into the "secret" WWII prisoner of war camp at Fort Hunt Park near Fort Belvior.
Fort Hunt was the smaller fort on the VA side of the Potomac that helped guarded the approach to Washington.
Fort Washington on the MD side was the bigger one.

I love your videos and as someone with family roots in St Louis I have a soft spot for that area.
I even had family on the gateway arch committee back in the day.

[TheScmtnrider]

What I enjoy most about your channel, is how often I learn new things and at my age, that's notable.
Thank you!