A young Kansu Red Deer Cervus canadensis kansuensis bounds through alpine meadow near Qinghai Lake, China. Probably one to two months old, the calf still wears its spotted juvenile coat and is already strong enough to run with its mother. One of the southernmost wapiti subspecies, Kansu Red Deer is native to the montane scrub and forests of Gansu, Qinghai, and Sichuan. This photo and all photos on this page taken 21 July at 36.779505, 99.656838, elev. 3470 m (11,370 ft.). (Craig Brelsford)Kansu Red Deer calf demonstrating the biomechanics of a high-altitude bound. This chronological, four-frame sequence captures the explosive power and agility required to navigate the rugged, scrub-dotted terrain of the Qinghai Lake region. The kinetic chain begins with a powerful, coiled thrust from the hindquarters (top L) that launches the calf upward as its forelegs reach forward to navigate the steep ascent (top R). At the apex of the leap, the forelegs tuck tightly against the chest to maximize ground clearance over obstacles (bottom L), culminating in a braced landing with the hind legs already reloading for the next leap (bottom R). Even at just a few weeks old, this juvenile exhibits the remarkable strength and specialized locomotion essential for survival on the Tibetan Plateau. (Craig Brelsford)The calf approaches the crest of the hill. No adult deer were seen, but the calf’s direction of travel suggests that its mother and perhaps other adults may have been above the crest, farther from the busy road in the valley below. The lush summer vegetation provides abundant forage for Kansu Red Deer, which feed on grasses, sedges, forbs, and other alpine plants. To explore more of the region’s remarkable mammalian fauna, view our profiles on White-lipped Deer, Blue Sheep, Mountain Weasel, and Tibetan Lynx, or compare this subspecies directly to the Altai Elk. (Craig Brelsford)
