Xinhua News Agency, Kunming, August 9th (Reporters Zhao Jiasong and Zhao Peiran) On the evening of August 8, 14 Asian elephants moved northward across the main stream of the Yuanjiang River, the largest obstacle on their way back home, marking a decisive progress in the disposal of the northward elephant group.

Relevant people analyzed why the main stream of the Yuanjiang River is the biggest obstacle for the elephant group to return to the south.

  At a press conference held by the Information Office of the Yunnan Provincial Government on the evening of the 9th, Yang Yingyong, deputy secretary of the Political and Legal Committee of the Yuxi Municipal Party Committee, introduced that on April 16 this year, the Asian elephant herd moved north and entered Yuanjiang County, Yuxi City, at 7 am on May 11th. Around 30 (wading) across the main stream of Yuanjiang River.

At that time, the main stream of the Yuanjiang River was in the dry season, and the water flow on the day when Xiangqun crossed the river was 73 cubic meters per second.

  With the arrival of the rainy season, Yuanjiang entered a wet season after July. The average water flow in July and August reached 120 cubic meters per second, and the highest water flow reached 628 cubic meters per second.

"The sharp increase in water flow has created huge obstacles for the elephants to return to the south, and has become the biggest problem hindering the elephants from going home." Yang Yingyong said.

  He introduced that in order to help the elephants cross the main stream of the Yuanjiang River smoothly, the staff walked through the 76 kilometers of Yuanjiang River in Yuanjiang County, analyzed and studied the location of the elephants, and finally chose to let the elephants cross the old 213 National Road Yuanjiang Old Bridge. .

During the relocation process, the elephant group shifted from the expected route countless times, but after the joint efforts of all parties, after 13 days and 12 nights, the elephant group successfully crossed the Yuanjiang River from the bridge.

  According to Chen Mingyong, a member of the expert group for the disposal of Asian elephants moving north and a professor at the School of Ecology and Environment of Yunnan University, the main stream of the Yuanjiang River is a demarcation line for the suitability of the Asian elephant's habitat.

The living environment of Asian elephants can be divided into four categories: the most suitable, suitable, general and unsuitable habitat.

The further north, the lower the temperature and the less food, the less suitable for Asian elephants to inhabit.

The Yuanjiang water system is the dividing line between the suitable habitat of Asian elephants and the general habitat.

  "Crossing the main stream of the Yuanjiang River is essential for the Asian elephants to return to suitable habitats. For Asian elephants, although the Yuanjiang River Basin is rich in food and water, the shelter conditions are not good and it is not suitable for long-term stay." Chen Mingyong said, moving northward elephants The flock crosses the Yuanjiang River to reach the south bank, and the suitability of the habitat will be greatly improved, and it will be easier to communicate with other ethnic groups. This has very important practical significance for improving the stability and safety of the Asian elephant population.

  He also analyzed that moving the elephant group to the north and crossing the main stream of the Yuanjiang River to the south is essential to promote "human elephant harmony" and carry out follow-up Asian elephant protection and management.