BEIJING, July 1, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Milu, a species endemic to China, was on the edge of extinction in the early 20th century due to overhunting and habitat loss.

The species, under A-level state protection in China, was named after Armand David, a French missionary and naturalist who first recorded the existence of the deer in China in 1865.

Since the British government gifted 39 milu deer to Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in 1986, the population of the species in the reserve has grown to 5,016, including more than 800 baby deer born in the nature reserve in 2019.

Two male milu deer, also known as Pere David's deer, fight in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Milu deer are seen in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

Milu deer enjoy their feeds in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)

A female milu deer feeds her baby born in this year in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Aerial photo taken on June 27, 2019 shows milu deer gathering around a pond in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2019 shows milu deer gathering around ponds in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province.(Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Milu deer cross a river in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2019 shows milu deer crossing a ditch in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A male milu deer polishes its antlers in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

A male milu deer is seen in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Milu deer enjoy their feeds in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

An egret flies past a milu deer in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

Milu deer drink water in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 27, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)

A milu deer looks at an egret in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province, June 28, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Bo)

Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2019 shows milu deer gathering around a pond in Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve in east China's Jiangsu Province. (Xinhua/Li Xiang)