A herd of 14 elephants in China has turned heads with their long and mysterious trek across the country.
After a 17-month journey that puzzled scientists and captivated onlookers worldwide, these elephants finally returned to their protected habitat in Yunnan province.
Their 300-mile northward trek left many wondering what drove them to set off in the first place and now what has prompted them to return.
The elephants’ journey has been far from ordinary. Over the months, they wandered through city streets, highways, and housing areas.
Along the way, they caused more than £1 million in damage, rummaging through trash, breaking into garages, and even managing to turn on taps for a private water supply.
Their rampage forced the temporary evacuation of 150,000 people from their homes and led to insurance claims totaling nearly £800,000.
The elephants set off from the Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve in southwestern China on March 15 last year.
Since then, they’ve been closely monitored by a team of 400 police officers, emergency responders, and drones, ensuring the animals remained unharmed.
One expert, Yang Yingyong, stated that the herd’s return was part of a “scientifically planned” effort, although it’s unclear whether humans or the elephants devised the plan.
Elephants are known to navigate through natural memory-based routes in search of food and water, often guided by their matriarchs.
While the herd’s journey northward could be due to instincts, it’s clear that human intervention played a role in their safe passage.
Villages on their route were warned via loudspeakers to stay indoors, and power was often cut to prevent accidents or fires. Roadblocks were also set up to guide the herd along a safer path.
Recently, the elephants were photographed crossing the Yuan River near Yuxi City, signaling they were finally heading in the right direction.
However, they still have about 120 miles left to travel. Despite the length and challenges of their journey, the herd has been seen supporting each other along the way—helping baby elephants up slippery slopes and huddling together as they sleep.
Becky Shu Chen, a conservationist from London Zoo, explained that deforestation for rubber plantations has forced elephants to expand their range in search of food.
She added that while elephants have extended their territory for years, this herd’s journey north was unusually far.
Shen Qingzhong of the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve Management Bureau suggested that the herd might make this trip again. It seems elephants have a knack for exploring new lands, even when the journey is challenging.
