From Extinction to Expansion: How China Brought Back Its 'Four Dissimilarities'
In a triumph for global biodiversity, Beijing's decades-long elk preservation efforts have rewilded China's landscape with over 12,000 Sibuxiang – a species literally named 'Four Dissimilarities' for its unique blend of deer-like, camel-like, cow-like, and donkey-like features. Once declared extinct in the region, the elk has staged a remarkable comeback through what the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) ranks among the world's top 15 most successful species reintroduction programs.
The 37-Year Reintroduction Journey
Scientists launched the Elk Reintroduction Project in the 1980s with just 38 animals from international zoos. Through habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures, wild populations now exceed 5,000 across protected wetlands and grasslands. 'This isn't just about saving a species – it's about repairing entire ecosystems,' says Dr. Liang Wei, a lead researcher at Beijing's Wildlife Conservation Center.
Global Conservation Blueprint
The project's data-driven approach offers lessons for endangered species worldwide:
- 98% genetic diversity maintained through careful breeding
- 15 nature reserves created across the Chinese mainland
- 300% population growth since 2010
As climate challenges intensify, Beijing's elk story proves that collaborative, science-based conservation can rewrite extinction narratives.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
