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Composing new sagas of wild Asian elephants

奏响“象”往之歌

Asian elephants residing in the tropical ephants, including Longlong, who was
rainforest are often referred to as “rainfor- abandoned by the herd due to an injury;
est engineers.” Xishuangbanna National Yangniu, who suffered from a congenital
Nature Reserve is one of habitats for Asian disease; Qiangqiang, an orphaned calf;
elephants in China, and the “Wild Elephant Pingping, whose hips were severely infect-
Valley” within the reserve is the country’s ed and inflamed; and Wizhayo, who showed
first eco-tourism destination focused on a volatile temperament and repeatedly
animal and environmental protection. When blocked roads to steal food, causing damage
people mention “Wild Elephant Valley,” they to passing vehicles. Each of these elephants
often recall the story of a group of wild Asian has faced significant challenges and danger
elephants that originally roamed this area. In in their lives.
2021, these elephants traveled north to Yuxi In their daily work, the staff members
and Kunming, embarking on a journey that are responsible for checking the elephants’
lasted over a year before returning home, physical condition, feeding them, cleaning
captivating global netizens who followed up their droppings, and providing rewild- through a crowded space. To ensure the has undergone rewilding before being re-
their adventure online. ing training. They spend over 10 hours a safety of both citizens and the elephant, leased back to nature,” said Wang Bin, di-
The Asian Elephant Rescue and Breed- day with the elephants. Through their time Abao was anesthetized and transferred to rector of the Xishuangbanna Asian Elephant
ing Center, situated next to the Wild Ele- together, the staff have come to be affec- the rescue center, where he underwent four Protection and Management Center. “I hope
phant Valley Scenic Area, is China’s only tionately known as “Elephant Dads,” a ti- years of behavior modification and rewil- Abao will successfully integrate into an ele-
scientific research facility dedicated to the tle that embodies both their responsibility ding training. In July 2022, it was decided phant herd and one day return with his own
rescue and breeding of Asian elephants. and care for these animals. Chen Jiming is to begin an experiment aimed at returning offspring.”
In the early morning, a few staff members a seasoned “Elephant Dad” who has been Abao to the wild. The “Elephant Dads” took The stories of the Asian elephants living
from the center were accompanying an el- working in Wild Elephant Valley for 16 Abao to the wild rearing area every day, in the Xishuangbanna rainforest are still
ephant into the depths of the valley, where years. “The rescued baby elephants lack allowing him to forage for food and live in unfolding. With the growing awareness of
tall vegetation towers above and sunlight their mothers to care for and guide them, a natural environment, which helped him ecological protection and increased wildlife
filtered through the lush forest, creating a so they require a lot of attention from us. regain his wild instincts and survival skills. conservation efforts, these elephants are set
tapestry of dappled light. “Wild Asian ele- For instance, Yangniu was once poisoned At 6 PM on May 17, the staff members to expand their range deeper into the rain-
phants are seen more frequently from De- after mistakenly eating mandarins,” Chen opened the gate to the fenced rewilding forest. This journey will not only represent
cember to February each year. At this time shared. training area. Just ten minutes later, Abao the survival and reproduction of wildlife
of year, they typically hide deep within the In April 2018, a 12-year-old wild ele- stepped out and made his way into the but also serve as a vivid illustration of the
rainforest,” a staff member said. phant named “Abao” wandered into the depths of the rainforest. “This is the first harmonious coexistence between humanity
The center has rescued numerous el- downtown area of Pu’er City, moving time in China that a rescued wild elephant and nature.