What kind of animal is the Shifu Elephant? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The wild ones are already extinct, and now they are all kept in zoos. Therefore, unfortunately, the wild population that was once abundant no longer exists. However, it is an animal that is strictly managed.

What is Shifuzou? Basic Stats

The Pere David’s deer is an even-toed ungulate mammal classified in the Cetacean family of the Mammalia class. Its scientific name is Elaphurus davidianus, its English name is Pere David’s deer, and its Chinese characters are 四不象. Its total length is 170-200cm, and its weight is 150-200kg. The list of information is as follows.

Japanese（和名）	シフゾウ
English（英名）	Pere David’s deer
scientific name(学名)	Elaphurus davidianus
classification（分類）	Mammalia、 Artiodactyla、Cervidae、Elaphurus 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、シカ科、シフゾウ属
IUCN Status(保全状況)	EXTINCT IN THE WILD
Length（体長）	170-200cm
Weight（体重）	150-200kg

animal classification

• 界：動物界 Animalia
• 門：脊索動物門 Chordata
• 綱：哺乳綱 Mammalia
• 目：鯨偶蹄目（旧：偶蹄目） Artiodactyla
• 科：シカ科 Cervidae
• 亜科：シカ亜科 Cervinae
• 属：シフゾウ属 Elaphurus
• 種：シフゾウ Elaphurus davidianus

What are the roots and origins of the Père David’s deer?

The Père David’s deer (known in Chinese as Sifuxiang) originated from a species of the deer family that evolved in the wetland and forest regions of China.

🦌 Origins of the Père David’s deer

Scientific name: Elaphurus davidianus

Classification: Family Cervidae (deer), Genus Elaphurus

Native region: Eastern and central China

It belongs to a very ancient deer lineage and has undergone a unique evolutionary path distinct from modern deer species.

The name Sifuxiang (meaning “four unalikes” or “four things that do not match”)
was given because the animal appears to possess the characteristics of various different creatures: the antlers of a deer, the hooves of a cow, the face of a horse, and the tail of a donkey.

🌏 Where did it come from?

A broad look at its evolutionary history reveals the following progression:

Ancient deer ancestor
↓
Diverged into a unique lineage around China
↓
Genus Elaphurus emerged
↓
Modern Père David’s deer

What is particularly interesting is how the species adapted to wetland environments, such as the basins of China’s Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Traits like long legs, broad hooves, and a natural aptitude for swimming are considered adaptations to this type of habitat.

🇨🇳 And then, extinction in the wild

In modern times, their numbers in China plummeted rapidly, leading to the extinction of wild populations within the country. Subsequently, breeding programs based on individuals kept in European zoos allowed the species to recover, forming the basis of the current population.

In short, the Père David’s deer is an animal with a truly remarkable history:

“A highly unique deer that evolved in China → Nearly went extinct in China → Revived from captive individuals”

Habitat

The Siberian elephant is said to have lived and been distributed in the swamps of northern and central China.

① Original Natural Habitat (Historical Distribution)
Geographic Distribution

Eastern to Central China

Yellow River and Yangtze River (Changjiang) Basin

Estimated current habitat: Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and Hubei Provinces

Environmental Type

The Siberian Husky was a typical wetland deer.

Floodplains along rivers

Marshes and marshes

Grasslands around lakes and ponds

Seasonally submerged lowlands

Unlike typical forest deer, its greatest distinctive feature is that it is a “water-dwelling deer.”

② Habitat Adaptation Characteristics

It has morphological characteristics closely linked to its habitat.

Wide-open hooves
→ Less likely to sink in muddy areas

Long legs
→ Able to walk in shallow water

Excellent swimmer
→ Crossing rivers and lakes

Dietary focus on herbaceous plants
→ Eating aquatic plants and wetland herbs

All of these are adaptations to life in wetlands and floodplains.

③ Habitat changes leading to extinction in the wild
Major factors

Conversion of wetlands to farmland

River improvements and flood control projects

Excessive hunting

Floods and wars

In particular,

Flood control in the Yellow River basin

Expansion of agricultural land

went to the disappearance of the wetland ecosystem itself.

By the end of the 19th century, wild populations had completely disappeared.

4. A unique habitat under imperial protection

The only place that survived after extinction in the wild is:

Nanyuan Imperial Hunting Grounds in Beijing

An artificially maintained wetland environment

Semi-wild conditions

This is the ancestral population of all extant Siberian elephants.

What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?

The Shifu elephant has a long, slender head and large eyes. Its limbs are long and its hooves are large. Its hooves resemble those of a cow, its head like a horse, and its horns like a deer, but it is not any of those animals, hence its name. It is thought that there used to be many of them in China, but they are now extinct. They are good swimmers and can submerge in water up to their shoulders. They usually live in groups in groups.

① Body Type

Height: Approximately 120cm

Body Length: Approximately 2m

Stout and long-legged

Slightly low back, high rump

It gives the impression of being more like a large herbivore that walks near water than a forest deer.

② Head and Horns (Male)

The antlers grow in an unusually unique way.

The branches grow forward.

The opposite direction from that of normal deer.

They are replaced annually.

At first glance, it looks like the antlers are growing in the wrong direction.

③ Tail

Very long (approximately 50cm)

Tussed with hair.

Similar to the tails of donkeys and horses,
This is the most “un-deer-like” feature.

④ Hooves

Wide and easily spread

Hooves are designed to resist sinking in mud and water.

Clearly adapted to wetlands.

What is the ecology of the Yakushika?

Shifu elephants live on grass, leaves, and emergent plants. They are viviparous. During the breeding season, males form harems with many females. The gestation period is 288 days, which is nine months. They can give birth to one baby at a time. They reach sexual maturity at two years and three months of age. They live for about 20 years.

① Lifestyle (How do they live?)
Basic Style

Diurnal and nocturnal (most active in the early morning and evening)

Live in groups (several to several dozen)

Home range centered around water

They are closer to herbivores that roam open wetlands than forest deer.

② Behavioral Ecology
Movement and Behavior

Typically walks slowly

Actively uses muddy and shallow areas

Excellent swimmers

Ability to cross rivers and lakes

In times of danger, they will flee to water rather than run

Pack Structure

Usually in groups of females and calves

Adult males live alone or in small groups outside of breeding season

Low aggression within the pack

③ Diet (What do they eat?)
Food

Exclusively herbivorous

Standalone:

Grassaceae

Wetland herbs

Aquatic plants

Depending on the season:

Young shoots

Leaves

Rhizomes

Specialized diet for wetland plants

④ Breeding Habits
Breeding Season

Mainly summer (June-August)

Males use their horns for display

Voluntary fighting is rare

Birth

Gestation Period: Approximately 9 months

Litter Size: Usually 1 calf

Calves are raised in the secluded areas of grass and brush.

What are the natural enemies of the Yakushika?

Shifu elephants are already extinct in the wild, so there is nothing to show for it.

Vocalizations

Père David’s deer have a much wider range of vocalizations than one might expect from the typical image of a deer.

🦌 Males: During the breeding season, they may emit low, growling sounds or deep, bellowing calls (like “buoo” or “guoo”).

🦌 Females and Fawns: They may make short calls when alert or to communicate between mother and fawn.

⚠️ Threat/Excitement: They may also make snorting sounds or breathe heavily.

Males, in particular, use low-pitched calls to announce their presence during the breeding season, making them unique in their behavior as well as their appearance.

Walking Speed

Regarding their walking speed, Père David’s deer are not built for high-speed running like cheetahs; they are essentially adapted for walking slowly and navigating wetlands.

🚶 Normal walking: Generally at the pace of a human’s brisk walk.

🏃 Fast walk/Trot: Capable of moving quite quickly when sensing danger.

💨 Running: Difficult to determine a precise top speed due to a lack of reliable measurements.

🌊 Swimming: Highly skilled swimmers with excellent mobility in waterside areas.

Père David’s deer have broad hooves, making it easy for them to move across wetlands and muddy terrain. Consequently, the ability to move stably through waterside and wetland environments was likely more important to their survival than sheer speed.

Seasonal Activity

🦌 Seasonal Activity of Père David’s Deer

Season	Main Activities
🌸 Spring	Grass begins to grow, and foraging activity intensifies. Females enter the birthing season.
☀️ Summer	Actively feed on grasses and aquatic plants. May spend the hottest parts of the day near the water. Fawns continue to grow.
🍂 Autumn	Breeding season (rut). Male activity becomes particularly intense; fighting with antlers and vocalizing are common.
❄️ Winter	Breeding season ends; life centers on foraging. They remain active in the cold, though vegetation is less abundant than in spring and summer.

Autumn is Particularly Important

The autumn breeding season is the most dramatic part of the Père David’s deer’s annual cycle. Males compete with one another using their antlers and bodies, vocalizing and moving actively around the females.

Meanwhile, the cycle involves pregnant females giving birth between winter and spring, with the offspring growing throughout the summer.

About the young Shifu elephant

① Basic Information about the Pup

Number of Pups Born: Usually 1 (Rarely Twins)

Birth: Early Summer to Summer

Birth Weight: Approximately 11-13kg

Standing: Able to stand within a few hours of birth

Typical of deer, they are precocial.

② Physical Characteristics
Body Color/Pattern

Light Yellowish Brown

White Spots All Over the Body

Serves as Protective Coloration

Spots Disappear as the Pup matures

Body Shape

Long Legs, Slender

Small Head, Large Eyes

Very Hard to See in Grass or Wetlands

③ Behavioral Ecology

Hiding Behavior

First Weeks:

Mother forages at a distance

Cubs lie low and wait in grass or wetland vegetation

Stay motionless and reduce scent

Extremely important for predator control

Begins moving

Begins following mother at 1-2 weeks old

Gradually joins herd behavior

④ Nursing and dietary changes
Nursing

Mainly breastfeeding (several months)

Mother is very attentive

Weaning

Begins consuming solid foods at 3-4 months old

Learns wetland plants early

Is the Chinese Elephant an endangered species?

When the Chinese Elephant was introduced to Europe in 1865, it was already extinct in the wild. It is said that it used to live in China. A herd of Chinese Elephants had been owned by the Chinese Emperor Tongzhi for generations. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the gardens where the Chinese Elephants were kept were occupied by German troops, and all the remaining Chinese Elephants were shot and eaten by soldiers, leading to their extinction. Since then, more have been bred in Europe, and plans are underway to return the bred animals to the wild. There are currently a population of over 5,000.

Conclusion (Most Important Points)

The Siberian elephant is
classified as “Extinct in the Wild (EW).”

Official Conservation Status
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Classification

Category: EW (Extinct in the Wild)

Meaning:

Extinct in the wild

However, it survives in captivity and under management.

Not completely extinct (EX).

Why did they become extinct in the wild?

Large-scale loss of wetlands

Agricultural land conversion and flood control

Overfishing

Floods and wars

Their wetland-dependent ecology made them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Can Chinese Elephants be kept as pets?

Chinese Elephants are extinct, and cannot be kept by the general public. They are now strictly managed in zoos and other facilities.

① Are they actually kept in captivity?

Yes. They are kept in captivity all over the world.

Main breeding locations

Nature reserves (reintroduction facilities) in China

UK (Woburn Abbey, etc.)

Zoos in Europe and the United States

All existing populations of Shifu elephants have been maintained through artificial captivity and management.

② Why are they possible to keep in captivity?

Biological reasons

Gentle temperament

Adapted to group life

Relatively well adapted to artificial environments

Herbivorous diet is easy to manage

Among deer species, they are considered “suitable for captivity.”

③ Why are private captivity difficult?
① Legal and conservation issues

IUCN: Extinct in the Wild (EW)

Internationally protected species

In many countries:

Private ownership prohibited

Breeding management only by national and research institutions

② Unique captivity environment

Shifu elephants cannot be kept on ordinary farms.

Requirements:

Large area (for herd rearing)

Wetlands/shallow water

Safe ground, even in muddy areas

Water quality control

Fence (high jumping ability)

Requires more space and cost than sika deer.

③ Herd-oriented animal

Cannot be kept alone

Breeding management is essential

Pedigree management is important (due to low genetic diversity)

What kind of animal is the Shifu Elephant? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. The wild ones are already extinct, and now they are all kept in zoos. Therefore, unfortunately, the wild population that was once abundant no longer exists. However, it is an animal that is strictly managed.

What is Shifuzou? Basic Stats

The Pere David’s deer is an even-toed ungulate mammal classified in the Cetacean family of the Mammalia class. Its scientific name is Elaphurus davidianus, its English name is Pere David’s deer, and its Chinese characters are 四不象. Its total length is 170-200cm, and its weight is 150-200kg. The list of information is as follows.

Japanese（和名）	シフゾウ
English（英名）	Pere David’s deer
scientific name(学名)	Elaphurus davidianus
classification（分類）	Mammalia、 Artiodactyla、Cervidae、Elaphurus 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、シカ科、シフゾウ属
IUCN Status(保全状況)	EXTINCT IN THE WILD
Length（体長）	170-200cm
Weight（体重）	150-200kg

animal classification

• 界：動物界 Animalia
• 門：脊索動物門 Chordata
• 綱：哺乳綱 Mammalia
• 目：鯨偶蹄目（旧：偶蹄目） Artiodactyla
• 科：シカ科 Cervidae
• 亜科：シカ亜科 Cervinae
• 属：シフゾウ属 Elaphurus
• 種：シフゾウ Elaphurus davidianus

What are the roots and origins of the Père David’s deer?

The Père David’s deer (known in Chinese as Sifuxiang) originated from a species of the deer family that evolved in the wetland and forest regions of China.

🦌 Origins of the Père David’s deer

Scientific name: Elaphurus davidianus

Classification: Family Cervidae (deer), Genus Elaphurus

Native region: Eastern and central China

It belongs to a very ancient deer lineage and has undergone a unique evolutionary path distinct from modern deer species.

The name Sifuxiang (meaning “four unalikes” or “four things that do not match”)
was given because the animal appears to possess the characteristics of various different creatures: the antlers of a deer, the hooves of a cow, the face of a horse, and the tail of a donkey.

🌏 Where did it come from?

A broad look at its evolutionary history reveals the following progression:

Ancient deer ancestor
↓
Diverged into a unique lineage around China
↓
Genus Elaphurus emerged
↓
Modern Père David’s deer

What is particularly interesting is how the species adapted to wetland environments, such as the basins of China’s Yellow and Yangtze Rivers. Traits like long legs, broad hooves, and a natural aptitude for swimming are considered adaptations to this type of habitat.

🇨🇳 And then, extinction in the wild

In modern times, their numbers in China plummeted rapidly, leading to the extinction of wild populations within the country. Subsequently, breeding programs based on individuals kept in European zoos allowed the species to recover, forming the basis of the current population.

In short, the Père David’s deer is an animal with a truly remarkable history:

“A highly unique deer that evolved in China → Nearly went extinct in China → Revived from captive individuals”

Habitat

The Siberian elephant is said to have lived and been distributed in the swamps of northern and central China.

① Original Natural Habitat (Historical Distribution)
Geographic Distribution

Eastern to Central China

Yellow River and Yangtze River (Changjiang) Basin

Estimated current habitat: Jiangsu, Anhui, Henan, and Hubei Provinces

Environmental Type

The Siberian Husky was a typical wetland deer.

Floodplains along rivers

Marshes and marshes

Grasslands around lakes and ponds

Seasonally submerged lowlands

Unlike typical forest deer, its greatest distinctive feature is that it is a “water-dwelling deer.”

② Habitat Adaptation Characteristics

It has morphological characteristics closely linked to its habitat.

Wide-open hooves
→ Less likely to sink in muddy areas

Long legs
→ Able to walk in shallow water

Excellent swimmer
→ Crossing rivers and lakes

Dietary focus on herbaceous plants
→ Eating aquatic plants and wetland herbs

All of these are adaptations to life in wetlands and floodplains.

③ Habitat changes leading to extinction in the wild
Major factors

Conversion of wetlands to farmland

River improvements and flood control projects

Excessive hunting

Floods and wars

In particular,

Flood control in the Yellow River basin

Expansion of agricultural land

went to the disappearance of the wetland ecosystem itself.

By the end of the 19th century, wild populations had completely disappeared.

4. A unique habitat under imperial protection

The only place that survived after extinction in the wild is:

Nanyuan Imperial Hunting Grounds in Beijing

An artificially maintained wetland environment

Semi-wild conditions

This is the ancestral population of all extant Siberian elephants.

What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?

The Shifu elephant has a long, slender head and large eyes. Its limbs are long and its hooves are large. Its hooves resemble those of a cow, its head like a horse, and its horns like a deer, but it is not any of those animals, hence its name. It is thought that there used to be many of them in China, but they are now extinct. They are good swimmers and can submerge in water up to their shoulders. They usually live in groups in groups.

① Body Type

Height: Approximately 120cm

Body Length: Approximately 2m

Stout and long-legged

Slightly low back, high rump

It gives the impression of being more like a large herbivore that walks near water than a forest deer.

② Head and Horns (Male)

The antlers grow in an unusually unique way.

The branches grow forward.

The opposite direction from that of normal deer.

They are replaced annually.

At first glance, it looks like the antlers are growing in the wrong direction.

③ Tail

Very long (approximately 50cm)

Tussed with hair.

Similar to the tails of donkeys and horses,
This is the most “un-deer-like” feature.

④ Hooves

Wide and easily spread

Hooves are designed to resist sinking in mud and water.

Clearly adapted to wetlands.

What is the ecology of the Yakushika?

Shifu elephants live on grass, leaves, and emergent plants. They are viviparous. During the breeding season, males form harems with many females. The gestation period is 288 days, which is nine months. They can give birth to one baby at a time. They reach sexual maturity at two years and three months of age. They live for about 20 years.

① Lifestyle (How do they live?)
Basic Style

Diurnal and nocturnal (most active in the early morning and evening)

Live in groups (several to several dozen)

Home range centered around water

They are closer to herbivores that roam open wetlands than forest deer.

② Behavioral Ecology
Movement and Behavior

Typically walks slowly

Actively uses muddy and shallow areas

Excellent swimmers

Ability to cross rivers and lakes

In times of danger, they will flee to water rather than run

Pack Structure

Usually in groups of females and calves

Adult males live alone or in small groups outside of breeding season

Low aggression within the pack

③ Diet (What do they eat?)
Food

Exclusively herbivorous

Standalone:

Grassaceae

Wetland herbs

Aquatic plants

Depending on the season:

Young shoots

Leaves

Rhizomes

Specialized diet for wetland plants

④ Breeding Habits
Breeding Season

Mainly summer (June-August)

Males use their horns for display

Voluntary fighting is rare

Birth

Gestation Period: Approximately 9 months

Litter Size: Usually 1 calf

Calves are raised in the secluded areas of grass and brush.

What are the natural enemies of the Yakushika?

Shifu elephants are already extinct in the wild, so there is nothing to show for it.

Vocalizations

Père David’s deer have a much wider range of vocalizations than one might expect from the typical image of a deer.

🦌 Males: During the breeding season, they may emit low, growling sounds or deep, bellowing calls (like “buoo” or “guoo”).

🦌 Females and Fawns: They may make short calls when alert or to communicate between mother and fawn.

⚠️ Threat/Excitement: They may also make snorting sounds or breathe heavily.

Males, in particular, use low-pitched calls to announce their presence during the breeding season, making them unique in their behavior as well as their appearance.

Walking Speed

Regarding their walking speed, Père David’s deer are not built for high-speed running like cheetahs; they are essentially adapted for walking slowly and navigating wetlands.

🚶 Normal walking: Generally at the pace of a human’s brisk walk.

🏃 Fast walk/Trot: Capable of moving quite quickly when sensing danger.

💨 Running: Difficult to determine a precise top speed due to a lack of reliable measurements.

🌊 Swimming: Highly skilled swimmers with excellent mobility in waterside areas.

Père David’s deer have broad hooves, making it easy for them to move across wetlands and muddy terrain. Consequently, the ability to move stably through waterside and wetland environments was likely more important to their survival than sheer speed.

Seasonal Activity

🦌 Seasonal Activity of Père David’s Deer

Season	Main Activities
🌸 Spring	Grass begins to grow, and foraging activity intensifies. Females enter the birthing season.
☀️ Summer	Actively feed on grasses and aquatic plants. May spend the hottest parts of the day near the water. Fawns continue to grow.
🍂 Autumn	Breeding season (rut). Male activity becomes particularly intense; fighting with antlers and vocalizing are common.
❄️ Winter	Breeding season ends; life centers on foraging. They remain active in the cold, though vegetation is less abundant than in spring and summer.

Autumn is Particularly Important

The autumn breeding season is the most dramatic part of the Père David’s deer’s annual cycle. Males compete with one another using their antlers and bodies, vocalizing and moving actively around the females.

Meanwhile, the cycle involves pregnant females giving birth between winter and spring, with the offspring growing throughout the summer.

About the young Shifu elephant

① Basic Information about the Pup

Number of Pups Born: Usually 1 (Rarely Twins)

Birth: Early Summer to Summer

Birth Weight: Approximately 11-13kg

Standing: Able to stand within a few hours of birth

Typical of deer, they are precocial.

② Physical Characteristics
Body Color/Pattern

Light Yellowish Brown

White Spots All Over the Body

Serves as Protective Coloration

Spots Disappear as the Pup matures

Body Shape

Long Legs, Slender

Small Head, Large Eyes

Very Hard to See in Grass or Wetlands

③ Behavioral Ecology

Hiding Behavior

First Weeks:

Mother forages at a distance

Cubs lie low and wait in grass or wetland vegetation

Stay motionless and reduce scent

Extremely important for predator control

Begins moving

Begins following mother at 1-2 weeks old

Gradually joins herd behavior

④ Nursing and dietary changes
Nursing

Mainly breastfeeding (several months)

Mother is very attentive

Weaning

Begins consuming solid foods at 3-4 months old

Learns wetland plants early

Is the Chinese Elephant an endangered species?

When the Chinese Elephant was introduced to Europe in 1865, it was already extinct in the wild. It is said that it used to live in China. A herd of Chinese Elephants had been owned by the Chinese Emperor Tongzhi for generations. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, the gardens where the Chinese Elephants were kept were occupied by German troops, and all the remaining Chinese Elephants were shot and eaten by soldiers, leading to their extinction. Since then, more have been bred in Europe, and plans are underway to return the bred animals to the wild. There are currently a population of over 5,000.

Conclusion (Most Important Points)

The Siberian elephant is
classified as “Extinct in the Wild (EW).”

Official Conservation Status
IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Classification

Category: EW (Extinct in the Wild)

Meaning:

Extinct in the wild

However, it survives in captivity and under management.

Not completely extinct (EX).

Why did they become extinct in the wild?

Large-scale loss of wetlands

Agricultural land conversion and flood control

Overfishing

Floods and wars

Their wetland-dependent ecology made them particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Can Chinese Elephants be kept as pets?

Chinese Elephants are extinct, and cannot be kept by the general public. They are now strictly managed in zoos and other facilities.

① Are they actually kept in captivity?

Yes. They are kept in captivity all over the world.

Main breeding locations

Nature reserves (reintroduction facilities) in China

UK (Woburn Abbey, etc.)

Zoos in Europe and the United States

All existing populations of Shifu elephants have been maintained through artificial captivity and management.

② Why are they possible to keep in captivity?

Biological reasons

Gentle temperament

Adapted to group life

Relatively well adapted to artificial environments

Herbivorous diet is easy to manage

Among deer species, they are considered “suitable for captivity.”

③ Why are private captivity difficult?
① Legal and conservation issues

IUCN: Extinct in the Wild (EW)

Internationally protected species

In many countries:

Private ownership prohibited

Breeding management only by national and research institutions

② Unique captivity environment

Shifu elephants cannot be kept on ordinary farms.

Requirements:

Large area (for herd rearing)

Wetlands/shallow water

Safe ground, even in muddy areas

Water quality control

Fence (high jumping ability)

Requires more space and cost than sika deer.

③ Herd-oriented animal

Cannot be kept alone

Breeding management is essential

Pedigree management is important (due to low genetic diversity)