Elk rescuers take action as flood season arrives in central China

"The habitat of elks would be inundated, and food would be difficult to find during the flood season," said Song Yucheng, an elk protection expert with the administration.

"It would have been a 'survival of the fittest' approach. However, considering the very small population of elks, we have been taking action to help the species make it through the flood season without affecting their natural habitat," Song added.

Ding Ming, a volunteer with an elk protection association, often brings food, including cabbages and carrots, to feed trapped wildlife around the lake.

"I was born and raised here, and I know every branch of the lake, as well as the location of the elks," said Ding, who usually spends a week around the lake during the flood season and guides the animals to safe highlands to escape the flooding.

Apart from elks, the rescue center also received two night herons.

"Night herons are summer migratory birds that nest at a low location," said Li Zheng, who is in charge of the rescue center. "The floods engulfed their nests, so the young birds can't find fish or shrimp, and may eventually die from lack of food and exhaustion."

There are 14 injured or trapped elks living in the center, and they will be released back into the wild after recovery, according to Li.

Xinhua