In the past 30 years, the total number of Asian elephants in the world decreases continually, but the population of wild Asian elephants in southwest China's Yunnan Province reached approximately 360 by 2021.
Wildlife conservation workers at the Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center have dedicated themselves to improving the welfare of the species and successfully rescued more than 20 wild Asian elephants since its establishment in 2008.
"After taking care of elephants for so many years, I think they are a relatively intelligent and spiritual species," said Chen Jiming, staff member at the center. "Although they are physically big, we are not afraid of them after getting to know them. They can be very human."
The staff at the center are known as "elephant fathers" for spending more than 10 hours every day rescuing and looking after wild Asian elephants that have been abandoned by their herds.
"Sometimes when we returned to work from vacation, the baby elephant was very happy to see us. It ran to us from far away, and rubbed us with its small nose, snuggling intimately. It was probably trying to say: 'Dad, where have you been? I miss you. I haven't seen you for a while!' In fact, these elephants are like our children. We protect and care for them like family members," said Chen.
At the rescue center, Asian elephants not only receive treatment and grow up healthily but also go to the wild to exercise. Every day, the breeders take them to the forest, where they can forage and live independently. According to the staff, the daily training is no less than 7 hours, so that they can return to the wild as soon as possible.
"I hope the rescued elephants can return to the wild and their home with their own efforts and those of the 'elephant fathers.' If that day does come, when they can truly return to the wild, I would be very reluctant to see them leave. However, just like my own children, the elephants will grow up. One day, they will leave us and find their own life," added Chen.
- Young tennis talent discovered in remote Yunnan
- World’s 1st cloned wild arctic wolf makes debut
- New expressway in Xinjiang preserves migration routes for wild animals
- Wild Asian elephants well protected in SW China’s Yunnan
- Asian Games-themed airplane unveiled in Hangzhou
- Chinese cultural elements to feature in e-sports events at Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games
Popular Videos
Hot comments
- First apes at U.S. zoo receive COVID-19 vaccine made for animals, zoo official says
- China Life: Chinese women shine with She Power
- Foreign firms approved to offer VPN services in capital
- Homemade curling videos trending in China
- 86-year-old grandma in Hebei spends most her life on traditional cheongsam
- Winners of 2022 Inaugural WLA Prize announced
- Lantern Festival: A romantic celebration in China
- Two Chinese COVID-19 vaccine firms to supply vaccines to COVAX
- Media center for 20th CPC national congress to open on Oct. 12
- Six suspects arrested in HK for role in SE Asia job scam
Top Reviews
- Young artists recreate beauty of traditional Hanfu costume
- China releases photos of tallest tree
- English version of ‘Understanding Xi Jinping’s Educational Philosophy’ published
- China crowned in men’s team for 10th straight time at table tennis worlds
- China publishes Atlas of Wildlife in SW China
- Guangxi’s 10 Years: A Visit to China’s Qinzhou Port
- Congress delegate helped lift village out of poverty
- Expo highlights joint efforts in NEV development
- Racism stain of shame on ‘world democratic paradise’
- U.S. may face new COVID wave this upcoming winter: report