China Youth Daily client news (Deng Yongyi, China Youth Daily·China Youth Daily reporter Lin Jie) August 12 is the 11th World Elephant Day. On the same day, Chimelong Wildlife World invited parents and children to observe elephants up close and raise public awareness of protecting wild animals and plants. Friends of all ages transformed into "elephant experience officers" to observe the elephants' daily cleaning, physical examination, hoof trimming and other work, calling on people to pay attention to the survival status of the elephant population and habitat protection.
Children enthusiastically answered questions in the popular science class. Deng Yongyi/Photo by
The survival of elephants is seriously threatened by drastic changes in the living environment and poaching caused by climate change. Data show that the number of elephant species worldwide has increased from more than 400 species 26 million years ago to only three species left today: Asian elephant , African savanna elephant and African forest elephant. In China, wild Asian elephants are mainly distributed in Xishuangbanna, Puer and Lincang in Yunnan.
A conservationist trims the elephant's hooves. Deng Yongyi/Photo by
On that day, a unique popular science class was taking place in the Asian Elephant Garden of the park. The teacher explained the differences between Asian elephants and African elephants in detail, allowing the children to learn relevant knowledge through sounds, pictures, etc.
The elephant is enjoying the food. Deng Yongyi/Photo by
In normal times, in order to make the living environment of Asian elephants more comfortable, the nursery specially lays thick "mattresses" on the floor of the "elephant room". In order to provide a better environment for the beauty-loving Asian elephants in the hot summer, the nursery also prepared a yellow mud water "bath" so that the elephants can moisturize their skin at any time. The park also has elephant play facilities such as sand baths and single-plank bridges.
A conservationist weighs an elephant. Deng Yongyi/photo
At present, the existing Asian elephants and African elephants in the world are recognized as endangered species by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Over the years, Chimelong has been committed to the protection and breeding of rare animals. From the initial introduction of 14 Asian elephants to the current 29, it has bred the third generation. It is also the largest Asian elephant population breeding base in China.
Editor in charge: Qi Zheng, Chen Ding
Source: China Youth Daily client
