The world's largest natural reserve for elk in E China's Jiangsu Province

Jiangsu Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve is located on the coast of the Yellow Sea in east China's Jiangsu Province, with a total area of 1.17 million mu. It is the world's largest natural reserve with the largest wild elk population. The reproductive rate, survival rate, and annual rate of increase of elk there rank first in the world.

Photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows a bull elk in Jiangsu Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Cao Zheng/Guangming Picture)

The calving period of elk usually starts in March and ends in June. This year, more than 800 elk calves are newly born. So far, the number of elk has grown from 39 when it was first introduced in 1986 to more than 6,000 now, accounting for more than 60% of the world's elk population. (Cao Zheng/Guangming Picture)

Photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows a bull elk covering itself with mud in Jiangsu Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Cao Zheng/Guangming Picture)

Elk is a national first-level protected wild animal. According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration's newly released statistics, the total number of elk populations in my China reaches nearly 9,000.

Photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows a bull elk leaving alone after defeated by another male in Jiangsu Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve, Yancheng City, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Cao Zheng/Guangming Picture)

During June, bull elks enter the rut and compete for females to include in their harems, involving antler wrestling, sometimes sustaining serious injuries. Once the dominant bull elk is settled, it defends his harem of 20 cows or more from competing bulls and predators.

Aerial photo taken on June 11, 2021 shows a large group of elk strolling in Jiangsu Dafeng Elk National Nature Reserve, east China's Jiangsu Province. (Cao Zheng/Guangming Picture)

As the elk population continues to increase, the wild elk habitat is also expanding. Now, wild elks are spotted throughout the coastal areas and surrounding areas of Yancheng City. Moreover, with the continuous restoration of the wetland ecological environment, the number of birds there is also increasing. At present, there are 58 national key protected bird species in the reserve.