Wild animals thrive as environment improves

Last month, a herd of 15 wild Asian elephants in Yunnan province traveled about 500 kilometers north and arrived on the outskirts of Kunming, the provincial capital. Experts believed the animals had roamed so far to find new habitat due to human population growth.

In China, the elephant population, which numbered just 170 in the 1970s, has risen to about 300 thanks to conservation efforts and habitat protection.

As elephants seek more room for their offspring, conflicts between the animals and humans have arisen. From 2014 to last year, insurance compensation for property losses caused by elephants in Yunnan reached 173 million yuan ($26.69 million), according to the provincial forestry department.

Huang Wenbin, Beijing regional program head of the World Wide Fund for Nature, said, "As the environment in China improves and becomes friendlier to wild animals, the country will face new challenges in living harmoniously with wildlife."

He cited several recent media reports of wild animals, including boars, bears and even tigers, "invading" residential communities nationwide.

"A new management system for the country's natural resources should be established and more innovative ways are needed to maintain good relations between humans and wildlife," Huang said.

To reduce the number of conflicts, Huang has piloted a forest restoration project on the outskirts of Beijing in an attempt to improve vegetation in the area. If the project is successful, it is expected to provide a possible solution for improving the quality of wild animals' habitats.

Pei Pei contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn