Guess who crashed a cornfield party in southwest China's Yunnan Province? 🐘🌽 A herd of wild Asian elephants decided to snack on some delicious corn cobs in Pu'er City, and we've got the scoop!
The majestic giants emerged from the forest one late afternoon in March, descending the mountainside like the stars of their own nature documentary. According to Ma Wenhong, an Asian elephant monitor in Jiangcheng County, \"Elephants have their daily routine. They usually forage around 3 or 4 p.m., and they will bathe in rivers in hot weather. Also, they don't go back to the forest at night until the next morning.\"
After their cornfield feast, the elephants didn't just head back home. Instead, they made their way to a nearby river for a refreshing swim. Talk about living the good life! 🏖️
Did you know that Asian elephants aren't just the largest land animals in Asia but also hold the record for the longest pregnancy? That's right! It takes a whopping 18 to 22 months for a female elephant to give birth. No wonder their birth rate is low.
But here's some exciting news: Since 2023, nine adorable baby elephants have been born in Pu'er City! 🐘💕 That's a significant boost for their population.
In China, these gentle giants are mainly found in Pu'er City, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, and around Lincang City in Yunnan, with about 360 elephants roaming the wild. They're classified as national first-class protected animals, so seeing them thrive is a big deal.
So next time you're munching on some corn or feeling the call of the wild, remember these elephants and their adventurous day. Maybe it's time to plan a trip to Yunnan and witness these amazing creatures up close (from a safe distance, of course)! 🌏✈️
Reference(s):
Asian elephants spotted feeding at cornfield, swimming in SW China
cgtn.com
