It is a rare deer species endemic to China. It was widely distributed in the eastern and central regions of China, especially in the marshy areas along the coast of the Yangtze River Delta. Originating about 2 million years ago, the number in history once reached hundreds of millions. However, due to natural changes, narrow dietary habits, and human activity interference, elk rapidly decreased after the Shang and Zhou dynasties and became extinct in China by the early Qing dynasty. Large in size, males can reach a shoulder height of up to 137 centimeters and weigh up to 250 kilograms, with unique inverted three legged antlers. Gentle temperament, good at swimming, and feeds on plants such as grasses and mosses. At the end of the 20th century, elk was reintroduced into China.