Description

This shoulder mount features the Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus), an incredibly rare species with a fascinating history. Originally native to the river valleys of China, this species became extinct in the wild by the early 20th century and was preserved only through captive breeding programs. Thanks to conservation efforts, some have since been reintroduced into managed reserves.

Père David’s deer are notable for their unusual physical traits:

• Antlers that point backward and forward—a rare configuration among deer

• Long legs, stocky build, and tufted tails resembling traits of multiple animals (often described as “part horse, part deer, part donkey, part cow”)

• Excellent swimmers, commonly found in marshy terrain

This shoulder mount captures the distinctive antler structure and regal bearing of the species, making it a centerpiece for museums, collectors, or educational spaces.

• Species: Père David’s Deer (Elaphurus davidianus)

• Conservation History: Saved by European nobility and Chinese zoologists in the late 1800s