Chinese Water Deer

Paul Childerley

• Publisher: Quiller
• Year: 2026
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• eBook ISBN:
  9781846894343
• Subtopic: Zoology
• Index: Biological Sciences

Introduced to the UK in the late nineteenth century, the Chinese water deer is a shy and enigmatic species that, since escaping from deer parks, has established itself in the wild mainly in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Considered one of the leading experts on these tusked deer – which are native to fertile river bottoms in Korea and the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) valley in China – Paul Childerley has written an all-encompassing guide explaining how these diminutive Asian deer have adapted to life in certain parts of the country, and how best to manage them now and in the future. A respected estate and deer manager, who has nurtured a growing population of Chinese water deer in Bedfordshire for nearly thirty years, Paul's love and respect for these animals shines through in this book. Exclusive insights from the Woburn archives reveal how the 11th Duke of Bedford first imported them to this country, while consecutive chapters document their unique lifestyle, unusual habits and mannerisms; how to stalk them and recipes for enjoying their sweet and tender venison. Also included are interviews with other land managers and deer experts. This engaging and beautifully illustrated account reveals everything you need to know about Chinese water deer by one who knows them well.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Foreword by His Grace the Duke of Bedford
• Introduction
• Chapter 1 History of Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 2 Chinese Water Deer and their Unusual Lifestyle
• Chapter 3 The Breeding Cycle of Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 4 How Chinese Water Deer Bucks are Scored/Awarded
• Chapter 5 Chinese Water Deer Habitat and Impact on Commercial Cropping and Forestry
• Chapter 6 Management of Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 7 The British Deer Society’s View on Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 8 Counting and Surveying Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 9 Managing Chinese Water Deer in Captivity
• Chapter 10 Poaching and its Impact on Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 11 Butchery of Chinese Water Deer
• Chapter 12 Cooking with Chinese Water Deer Venison
• Conclusion
• Appendix Paul Childerley’s Career and Martial Arts Record
• Acknowledgements