An elephant herd that fascinated locals and people around the world by making a yearlong journey into urbanized southwest China, raiding farms and even a retirement home for food, appears finally to be headed home.

Local authorities have deployed trucks, workers and drones to monitor the elephants, evacuated roads for them to pass safely and used food to steer them away from populated areas. Despite their entrance into villages and a close approach to the Yunnan provincial capital of Kunming, no animals or humans have been injured.

The 14 Asian elephants of various sizes and ages were guided across the Yuanjiang river in Yunnan on Sunday night and a path is being opened for them to return to the nature reserve where they lived in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.

The elephants left the reserve more than a year ago for unknown reasons and roamed more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) north. After reaching the outskirts of Kunming, a center for business and tourism, they turned south again, but still are far from the reserve.

One male that separated from the herd was subsequently tranquilized and returned to the reserve.

Asian elephants are among the most highly protected animals in China and their population has grown to around 300, even while their habitat has shrunk because of expanded farming and urban growth.

As of Sunday night, the herd was still in Yuanjiang County, approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the reserve.

However, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said the animals were in a “suitable habitat” after crossing the river.

A notice issued by provincial government said the herd’s progress was significant and it would continue to work on getting the elephants back in their natural habitat soon.

 

Related Stories
‹
Gabon is Last Bastion of Endangered African Forest Elephants
Written by FARAI MUTSAKA Loss of habitat and poaching have made African forest elephants a critically endangered species. Yet the dense forests of sparsely populated Gabon in the Congo River Basin remain a “last stronghold” of the magnificent creatures, according to new research that concluded the population is much higher than previous estimates. Counting forest elephants […]
China Stages Military Drills Around Taiwan to Warn ‘External Forces’ After US, Japan Tensions
China’s military on Monday dispatched air, navy and missile units to conduct joint live-fire drills around the island of Taiwan, which Beijing called a “stern warning” against separatist and “external interference” forces.
China Exploits US-Funded Research on Nuclear Technology, a Congressional Report Says
China is exploiting research partnerships funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to provide its military access to sensitive nuclear technology.
A Summit and Parade in China May Signal a Geopolitical Shift. They Might Also Be Political Jockeying
The leaders of China, North Korea and Russia stood shoulder to shoulder Wednesday as high-tech military hardware and thousands of marching soldiers filled the streets of Beijing.
UNC Marks 2 Years Since Zijie Yan's Fatal Shooting With Memorial Bench Dedication and Lecture
UNC leaders and the applied physical sciences department held a memorial event Thursday for the two-year anniversary of Zijie Yan's death.
Vietnam Celebrates 50 Years Since War’s End With Focus on Peace and Unity
Vietnam on Wednesday celebrated the 50th anniversary of the end of the war with the United States and the formation of its modern nation with a military parade and a focus on a peaceful future.
The United States and China Are Locked In a Faceoff Over Tariffs. No One Wants To Blink First
President Donald Trump tried to narrow his global trade war into a direct — and risky — faceoff with China, escalating the tariff fight.
Beyond the Ban: How TikTok’s Uncertain Future Affects Student Creators
At UNC, many student influencers make money off their TikTok fame. Now, those influencers are in limbo with the app's U.S. future in question.
Sweeping Trump Tariffs Draw Dismay and Calls for Talks From Countries Around the Globe
Sweeping new tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump provoked dismay, threats of countermeasures and urgent calls around the globe.
Germany Sees Ukraine Truce Efforts as Deadlocked, While China Says the Talks Are Encouraging
Germany’s chief diplomat on Tuesday described efforts to secure a truce in the three-year war between Russia and Ukraine as deadlocked.
›