[Explanation] Recently, a group of wild Asian elephants set off from Xishuangbanna and continued to migrate northward, arousing social concern.
Why do these wild elephants keep going north?
Experts say that the migration of elephants is a normal phenomenon, but it is very rare to move northward for a long distance of nearly 100 kilometers.
According to preliminary estimates, the decline in the original habitat carrying capacity is an important reason for the northward migration of wild elephants.
[Concurrent] Sun Quanhui, Scientist of the World Association for the Protection of Animals
This time moving north is actually a family group of elephants.
Initially, it is still because of the area of its habitat.
After so many years of protection, the population of Asian elephants in the wild has increased, but the area of protected areas for them has not increased significantly.
In addition, in its original habitat, the structure of some vegetation has actually undergone a lot of changes.
For example, in order to develop some cash crops or vegetation, its habitat actually has fewer food resources.
The other is the lack of this connection between habitats, which causes the elephant herd to leave, trying to find a new living space.
[Explanation] In the past few days, wherever the elephant herd went, crops were destroyed, and the normal life and production order of the local people was also affected.
Experts pointed out that when wild elephants enter the human activity area, it is a test for both humans and elephants.
Avoid encounters between humans and elephants as much as possible, and evacuate as soon as possible. Do not frighten or drive elephants away to prevent human-elephant conflicts.
[Concurrent] Sun Quanhui, Scientist of the World Association for the Protection of Animals
If you encounter Asian elephants in the wild, you should actually evacuate quietly as soon as possible, instead of watching, chasing, or making some actions that may irritate or frighten them. This may cause some accidents. .
The local government has been closely monitoring their movements, blocking the places that may pass along the route, and suggesting that villagers put away corn or other crops that elephants like to eat as much as possible.
In some densely populated places, they even use trucks to contain them, and put these fruits that elephants like to eat in other places, and lure them in the direction we want it to go, in fact, to minimize this Conflict of human figures.
[Explanation] In recent years, China has actively carried out wildlife protection and habitat protection and restoration, and the population of wild animals has grown steadily.
Therefore, wild animals gradually spread out.
Earlier, a Siberian tiger broke into a village in Mishan City, Heilongjiang Province, causing minor injuries to one person.
Experts believe that the spread of wild animals is just an attempt to find a new living space, and does not mean the improvement of the local ecological environment.
[Concurrent] Sun Quanhui, Scientist of the World Association for the Protection of Animals
Judging from the proliferation of wild animals, it appears in the marginal areas of their distribution, looking for new living spaces.
If it survives, it will lead to the expansion of its distribution area, and it will also help reduce the density of its original distribution area.
So the emergence of the Siberian tiger may be a good thing, but we cannot say that the habitat of this place has improved when it appears, because it is possible that it is still in the process of exploring and has not completely settled down.
[Explanation] Experts say that if wild animals continue to spread out of their habitats, it will be a challenge for humans.
Therefore, from a long-term perspective, it is still necessary to do a good job in the protection and restoration of habitats.
[Concurrent] Sun Quanhui, Scientist of the World Association for the Protection of Animals
For example, it can connect some of its existing fragmented habitats and build some corridors for their migration.
In addition, in its habitat, adjust the structure of its vegetation to increase some of the plant resources that it is more willing to eat.
In some places where human-elephant conflicts are relatively intensive, it may be necessary to consider moving these people out and returning some living space to these elephants.
Reporting from Beijing by reporter Lang Jiahui
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]