High-tech tools keep track of rare milu deer

Last autumn, the system's precision was put to the test when it detected two trespassers attempting to fish in the core habitat near midnight.

"In the past, night patrols were impossible," Wang said. "Following the location marked on the platform, we arrived in less than 20 minutes and stopped them on the spot."

Beyond security, the system acts as a digital doctor for the ecosystem. When sensors detected a dangerous spike in pH levels in a pond, staff were alerted instantly, allowing them to replenish the water before it impacted the herd's drinking supply. According to reserve officials, the successful handling rate for such alerts exceeds 98 percent.

Ge Xianmei, an IT manager at the reserve, said the digital system provides workers with a greater degree of precision in their duties.

"Because the alerts are timely, we can pinpoint the exact location immediately after receiving the information and reach the scene in 10 to 20 minutes, preventing any serious impact," Ge said.

Perhaps the most significant "thumbs up" for the system comes from the deer themselves. For a first-class protected species sensitive to human presence, the reduction in physical patrol frequency has allowed for a return to their wild instincts. Wang said: "In the past, they would run when we approached. Now, they are seen resting near the equipment, and fawns even dare to play in open areas."

The infrared "eyes" have also debunked old myths about the species; rangers now know that the deer are highly active at night and actually forage over wider areas during light rain — behaviors that remained hidden for decades.

The technological shield has facilitated a remarkable recovery for the species. From just 64 individuals introduced in the early 1990s, the regional population has surged to 4,500, with a fawn survival rate now exceeding 95 percent.

"The environmental data is now a basis for scientific management," Ge said. By analyzing soil fertility and meteorological trends, the team can predict floods and vegetation damage from overgrazing long before they occur.