A herd of 14 wild Asian elephants is approaching their (tradition) habitat in the southwestern province of Yunnan after traveling southward for days.
The elephants have spent the last five days (wander) and foraging(觅食) in Yuanjiang County of Yuxi City in Yunnan. The herd's (movement) in the region have been tracked by Drones(无人机). On Thursday afternoon, the elephants left a field they were foraging and headed into the forest.
The herd's return journey (expect) to be shortened by lower temperatures in autumn, said experts. they set off last year, the elephants have traveled northward about 500 kilometers and arrived at the suburbs of the provincial capital Kunming on June 2.
The herd couldn't have crossed the Yuanjiang River without help as the water level rises in the rainy season. Chinese authorities have sent police (protect) the herd, clear roads to facilitate their passage, and used food to distract them from entering (heavy) populated areas during their journey.
Asian elephants are primarily found in Yunnan and are protection in China. With the protection efforts (strengthen), the wild elephant population in the province has grown to about 300, up from 193 in the 1980s.
