Elks once lived in the marshes in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and became extinct during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) due to climate change and human activities. It was not until the 1980s that the Chinese government began importing the species from overseas, and the population of elks in the region of Dongting Lake has now increased to over 200.

"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 actions to help the species make it through the flood season without affecting their natural habitat," Song added.