Guardian of milu deer devotes herself to pursuing harmony between humanity and nature

Milu deer are seen at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025. Xue Dandan, 35, is the head of the security department of Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in Jiangsu. After graduating in 2016, she devoted herself to patrol management and public science education of milu deer in the reserve. When she first arrived, she knew little about the species. Over the past nine years, Xue has immersed herself in relevant materials, consulted experts and scholars, and conducted regular field patrols with colleagues. While constantly enriching her knowledge on the species, she has also translated professional knowledge of milu deer protection into accessible information for the public.

Through daily work, Xue has developed a deep bond with milu deer. She helped villagers rescue a milu deer trapped by nets, and also participated in building an intelligent platform, which monitors the biodiversity of milu deer habitats. "The reserve is like my home and the milu deer are my family," she said.

In 1986, Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve introduced 39 milu deer from Britain. In recent years, focusing on promoting harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature, the reserve has cultivated salt-alkali-tolerant plants and managed invasive plants. As the ecosystem improving, the population of milu deer has steadily increased. As of June 2024, the reserve is home to over 8,200 milu deer, including a wild population of more than 3,500 milu deer.

For Xue, the ultimate goal of her job is to restore the wild milu deer population. She and her colleagues will continue their efforts in relocation conservation, sending the species to suitable habitats. Xue believes that this is an essential path towards achieving between humanity and nature. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

A drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows milu deer wading through water at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province.(Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Xue Dandan patrols at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Xue Dandan teaches children knowledge of milu deer at a museum of the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

Xue Dandan (L) and Ding Shuitian patrol at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

This file photo taken by Xue Dandan shows staff members saving a trapped milu deer at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, July 12, 2019.(Xinhua)

A herd of milu deer forage at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

Xue Dandan records condition of milu deer at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Xue Dandan patrols at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

A herd of milu deer are seen at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

A drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows a fish jumping out of water as milu deer wading through water at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province.(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

A herd of milu deer rest in water at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Xue Dandan interacts with a male milu deer at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

Xue Dandan patrols at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Wang Xiao)

An aerial drone photo taken on June 7, 2025 shows Xue Dandan patrolling at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province.(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

A male milu deer is seen at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Xue Dandan patrols at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Du Zixuan)

A herd of milu deer cross a street at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Cao Yiming)

Male milu deer are seen at the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 7, 2025.(Xinhua/Liu Dawei)