Once extinct on its native soil, the milu deer has witnessed a remarkable revival, Liu Xiangrui reports.

With its miraculous twists and turns, the fate of the China's milu deer has long been an intriguing prospect for researchers and animal lovers alike.

Once extinct on its native soil and with only 18 individuals remaining in the world, the milu - which is also known as Pere David's deer in the West - has witnessed a remarkable revival after efforts to reintroduce the species began a few decades ago.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature believes the reintroduction program of the milu is one of the 15 most successful programs out of 138 similar projects carried out worldwide.