The wild Asian elephant population in southwest China's Yunnan Province -- home to Asian elephants in China -- has grown from 180 individuals in the 1980s to over 300 now, and the number has kept increasing as a result of conservation efforts over the past few decades, according to the Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau.
Asian elephants, a wild species under China's national first-class protection, has seen their habitat expanding thanks to the country's greater efforts to preserve their living environment.
While reflecting positive outcomes of conservation efforts, the wild elephants' population growth also brings "happy troubles" to local communities.
The wild elephants, once wary of humans, have now adapted to living alongside them. They frequently enter farmlands and villages to forage, leading to an increasing overlap between human and elephant habitats.
To prevent human-elephant conflicts, the Yunnan Asian Elephant Monitoring and Early Warning Center uses drones, infrared cameras, and other equipment to generate thermal imaging maps of elephant movements.
The monitoring system also includes a back-end management platform that can detect elephants and issue warnings in just over 10 seconds.
It is proved a scientific method to safeguard the rare species. Data show that since completion of the platform's construction, no human-elephant conflicts have been reported within its coverage area.
Under China's strengthened conservation efforts, the wild Asian elephant population is thriving -- a particularly noteworthy achievement as the global community celebrates World Elephant Day this Tuesday.
Launched in 2012 and observed worldwide on Aug 12 each year, the annual event aims to raise more public awareness about the plight of both Asian and African elephants while calling for more global action to protect them.
Asian elephants in China are primarily found in the southern part of Yunnan Province, with key populations concentrated in Xishuangbanna, Pu'er, and Lincang Prefectures in the province. To safeguard these endangered animals, China has established 11 nature reserves across their main habitat areas, covering more than 5,000 square kilometers in total. These protected zones offer stable environments which allow the elephants to thrive.
Wild Asian elephant population in Yunnan tops 300
