China's wild Asian elephant population grows amid conservation efforts

(ECNS) -- China’s wild Asian elephant population has grown steadily in recent decades as conservation efforts improve habitats and reduce human-elephant conflicts. 

Asian elephants in China are mainly found in Yunnan Province, particularly in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and the cities of Pu’er and Lincang.

In 2021, a herd of wild elephants that traveled more than 1,400 kilometers attracted global attention and drew greater interest to China’s wildlife conservation efforts.

Yunnan has introduced a range of measures to promote coexistence between humans and Asian elephants, including habitat restoration, monitoring and early-warning systems, compensation for elephant-related losses, and the construction of protective facilities.

Through these efforts, China’s wild Asian elephant population has increased from about 150 in the 1980s to nearly 400 today, according to a report released by the National High-end Think Tank of Xinhua News Agency.

The report noted that China’s wild elephant population has continued to grow steadily, with five elephant calves born at Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley, an Asian elephant conservation and education site, in 2026. 

China’s wildlife conservation efforts have also gained broader public support. On World Elephant Day, which fell on August 12, various activities were held across Yunnan to raise public awareness of elephant conservation.

On the same day, Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley held a special birthday celebration for Yangniu, an Asian elephant that was rescued and raised by humans after being abandoned by her herd as a newborn in 2015.

(By Helen Mo, intern Liu Shuangjing)