Locals in Yunnan trained on Asian elephant awareness

Zhao Huaidong, an expert in ecology of Xishuangbanna in Yunnan, gives a lecture during a training session held in Mengla on March 10. CHEN LIANG/CHINA DAILY Living with elephants Through training, according to Ma, the primary objective is to heighten the awareness of Asian elephant conservation and biodiversity among members of the monitoring team. "By empowering these elephant watchers, we intend to encourage them to bring up-to-date information on elephants and safety protocols to local communities," she said. Over the past 20 years since IFAW China initiated its Asian Elephant Protection project, Cao said the main strategies implemented include establishing an elephant activity monitoring and warning system to alleviate human-elephant conflicts; conducting scientific research to formulate elephant population protection strategies; mobilizing local communities to increase their adaptability and tolerance toward elephants; supporting local communities in adopting sustainable development practices to enhance their resilience to economic losses caused by elephant activities; and conducting environmental education to enhance community awareness of elephant conservation. The project has so far produced and distributed 40,000 copies of the Asian Elephant Safety Manual.