The extinction club : a tale of deer, lost books, and a rather fine canary yellow sweater

From Robert Twigger, the internationally acclaimed author of **Angry White Pyjamas** and **Big Snake,** comes **The Extinction Club,** the brilliant, peculiar, and complex tale of the Milu. In his fascinating tale of nature, civilization, and history, Robert Twigger poignantly recounts the story of this strange and rare animal while providing a riveting meditation on a number of human obsessions — evolution, truth-telling, extinction, myth-making, and survival. Library : GeneralFormats : EPUBISBN : 9780688175399 "For one thousand years, the Milu, an exotic species of deer with the neck of a camel, the horns of a stag, the feet of cow, and the tail of a donkey, existed only in the Chinese emperor's private park in Beijing. But in the second half of the nineteenth century a Basque missionary, Pere David, became the first Westerner ever to see a Milu. Transfixed by the strange beast, he risked his life to obtain a specimen, then embalmed it and sent it to Paris in a diplomatic bag. The preserved remains caused quite a stir across Europe, and zoologists clamored to get hold of a live animal. Within a short time, every major nation in Europe possessed a Milu. But most failed to thrive and died quickly in their new surroundings, and due to war - most notably the Boxer Rebellion - they became extinct in their native habitat as well. Yet the exotic deer were able to survive in one place - Bedfordshire, England - due to the nurturing of a devoted caretaker, the 11th Duke of Bedford, who kept a herd at Woburn Abbey. This labor and persistence paid off nearly a century later in 1986, when part of the British herd was returned to China. And to this day the very rich hunt the Milu - for a steep price - in wild game reserves throughout the world, but most notably in Texas.". "In his tale of nature, civilization, and history, Robert Twigger recounts the story of this strange and rare animal while providing a riveting meditation on a number of human obsessions - evolution, truth-telling, extinction, myth-making, and survival."--BOOK JACKET.

For one thousand years, the Milu — an exotic species of deer with the neck of a camel, horns of a stag, feet of a cow, and tail of a donkey — existed only in the Chinese emperor’s private park in Beijing. But in the nineteenth century, a Basque missionary risked his life to obtain a specimen, then embalmed it and sent it to Paris.

The preserved remains caused quite a stir, and soon every major nation in Europe possessed a Milu. But most died quickly, and due to war — most notably the Boxer Rebellion — they became extinct in their native habitat as well. Yet the eleventh duke of Bedford was devoted to preserving the Milu. Under his care at Woburn Abbey, a herd flourished, and nearly a century later, in 1986, part of the British herd was returned to China.

In his fascinating tale, Robert Twigger poignantly recounts the story of this strange and rare animal while providing a riveting meditation on evolution, truth-telling, extinction, myth-making, and survival.

... The Brilliant, Peculiar, And Complex Tale Of The Milu. For One Thousand Years, The Milu, An Exotic Species Of Deer With The Neck Of A Camel, The Horns Of A Stag, The Feet Of A Cow, And The Tail Of A Donkey, Existed Only In The Chinese Emperor's Private Park In Beijing. But In The Second Half Of The Nineteenth Century A Basque Missionary, Pére David, Became The First Westerner Ever To See A Milu. Transfixed By The Strange Beast, He Risked His Life To Obtain A Specimen, Then Embalmed It And Sent It To Paris In A Diplomatic Bag. ... Within A Very Short Time, Every Major Nation In Europe Possessed A Muli. But Most Failed To Thrive And Died Quickly ... Yet The Exotic Deer Were Able To Survive In One Place--bedfordshire, England--due To The Nurturing Of A Devoted Caretaker, The 11th Duke Of Bedford ...--jacket. Robert Twigger. This Book Was Originally Published In Great Britain In 2001 By Hamish Hamilton--t.p. Verso. JOHN MAJOR III's disabled foot flopped this way and that as he got into the front seat of the Chrysler four-wheel drive vehicle.