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A mysterious creature that resembles a cross between a horse and a deer has been glimpsed in rural China.

Researchers are studying new footage of the animal after it was filmed in the north-west Xinjiang province.

It was spotted on December 24 near Ebi Lake by the border with Kazakhstan, reports the People's Daily.

It is thought to be the first time the species has been caught on camera .

The creature is known as the 'horse deer' or Ebi Lake Red Deer and is believed to number as few as 110.

(Image: Youtube/People's Daily, China)

The footage was recorded by cameras installed by a Xinjiang Ebi Lake Nature Reserve team, who are seeking to learn more about the little-known species.

The team made a breakthrough in 2004 when they captured one of the deer and sent it for DNA analysis.

It is thought to be related to the Gansu Wapiti deer, native to the nearby Gansu province.

(Image: Youtube/People's Daily, China) (Image: Youtube/People's Daily, China)

The team have also been attempting to gather data by collecting samples of faeces and hair.