China develops regional standards for Asian elephant conservation

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China has unveiled five new sets of local standards to further enhance the conservation of the Asian elephant, marking a significant step towards expanding the population of this majestic species.

Announced on February 23, these standards address a previous lack of specific guidelines in the species' conservation, especially in restoring their natural habitat, securing food sources, rescuing, monitoring and reintroducing them into the wild.

The Asian elephant, a key component of the rainforest ecosystem, is under top-tier national protection in China. Today, the southwestern province of Yunnan has become the only natural habitat of the species in the country.

Asian elephants, conservationists in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province. /CFP

By standardizing practices, the move aims to create a comprehensive and scientific approach to conservation.

"The new standards are set based on summarizing and optimizing local conservationists' rich experience. It's also a new mode in practicing the Asian elephant's protection in a standardized manner," said Chen Fei, director of the Asian elephant research center under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Yunnan has seen progress in its conservation efforts over the years, with the Asian elephant population in the province growing from 146 in 1976 to over 300 today.

(Cover image via CFP)