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Agence France-Presse

A herd of wild elephants in southwestern China have been captured on camera taking a breather from a 500km (300-mile) march of chaos that has caused more than US$1 million in damage.
Chinese state television has launched a 24-hour live feed of the herd as the country remains on watch following the 15 elephants’ epic trek through homes, barns and crops in Yunnan province.
Footage from state broadcaster CCTV filmed on Monday shows the herd, tired from their adventures, curled up in a forest on the outskirts of the provincial capital Kunming.
At one point in the footage a calf on its back stirs itself, trunk and feet sprawled in the air, before hauling itself onto a sleeping adult and nodding off again.


The adventures of the huge mammals have captivated the nation, with hundreds of millions taking to social media to discuss their journey.
The elephants have been closely monitored by authorities as they lumber through lush countryside. More than 400 people have been mobilised to ensure public safety, and dozens of drones follow their every step.
Convoys of trucks have lined roads in a bid to keep the herd away from densely populated areas, including the more than 8 million people who live in nearby Kunming.
The local government has warned villagers not to leave corn or salt out in their yards that might attract the animals.
It has also evacuated residents in the elephants’ path and distributed more than 2 tonnes of feed to the scavenging herd.
Experts are unsure why the group first migrated away from their original habitat, a nature reserve in the province.


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Jumbo siesta for China’s wandering elephant herd

The herd takes a break in a forest near Kunming, in Yunnan province. Photo: CCTV

After a 500km journey, a herd of 15 elephants arrives at Yunnan capital in China

15 elephants travelled nearly 500km in China in search for new habitat. Photo: Thepaper

===PHOTO CAPTURED ONLINE=== A herd of elephants walk along a road in Eshan, Yunan, China, May 27, 2021 in this still image taken from video obtained from social media. Eshan County Fang Yuan Car Care Center

Chinese elephant herd hits the road on quest through urban jungle

The herd ventured along Yunnan’s main roads is just 100km from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. Photo: Xinhua

=== PHOTO CAPTURED FROM WEIBO === Social media in Yunnan Province of China is now awash with videos of local wild elephants. Last December, a 15-strong herd, including mothers with their young, suddenly left their home of tropical forests of Puâer Prefecture and started marching northwards. After 400km they are still on the move and are now less than 100km from the city of Kunming, the capital of Yunnan. The herd has been filmed strolling nonchalantly through villages and towns, and down highways and central roads of cities, ignoring police cars with blazing sirens. The local residents are watching these bizarre scenes from the safety of their apartments, and the media are publishing routes, the distances travelled and the latest locations of the herd. WEIBO

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Group filmed taking a breather in a forest on the outskirts of Kunming in the country’s southwest
Hundreds of people mobilised to ensure public safety



Group filmed taking a breather in a forest on the outskirts of Kunming in the country’s southwest.


Jumbo siesta for China’s wandering elephant herd

Group filmed taking a breather in a forest on the outskirts of Kunming in the country’s southwest Hundreds of people mobilised to ensure public safety

Group filmed taking a breather in a forest on the outskirts of Kunming in the country’s southwest

Hundreds of people mobilised to ensure public safety