Living alongside Asian elephants

In China, Asian elephants have become symbols of both disruption and media fascination, often simultaneously.

While they typically reside within nature reserves, herds of these majestic creatures often venture into human settlements.

In Yunnan province, wild elephants frequently wander into villages, checkpoints, and suburbs in search of food. While individual strays are common, the province captured global attention in 2020 when a herd of about 14 elephants embarked on an epic journey, trekking over 500 kilometers toward Kunming, the provincial capital.

This surge in media coverage has inadvertently put the spotlight on regions like Xishuangbanna and Pu'er, associating them with the presence of Asian elephants.

However, nestled between these well-known areas, the city of Lincang in Yunnan has often been left out of elephant-related news. This is despite the presence of a unique population of Asian elephants thriving within the Nangunhe National Nature Reserve, located in Cangyuan and Gengma counties under Lincang's jurisdiction.

"The elephants within our reserve rarely, if ever, clash with the communities living nearby," said Qin Jianchun, deputy director of the reserve's Cangyuan administration.

"This harmonious coexistence is likely why Lincang remains relatively unknown as a home for Asian elephants."