A herd of wild elephants in southwestern China have been captured on camera taking a breather from a 500-kilometre march of chaos that has brought on more than $1 million in harm.
Chinese state tv has launched a 24-hour live feed of the herd as the nation remains on watch following the 15 elephants’ epic trek by way of properties, barns and crops in Yunnan province.
Footage from state broadcaster CCTV filmed Monday shows the herd, tired from their adventures, curled up in a forest on the outskirts of the provincial capital Kunming.
At one point in the footage a calf on its back stirs itself, trunk and feet sprawled in the air, prior to hauling itself onto a sleeping adult and nodding off once more.
The adventures of the massive mammals have captivated the nation, with hundreds of millions taking to social media to go over their journey.
The elephants have been closely monitored by authorities as they lumber by way of lush countryside. More than 400 people today have been mobilised to assure public security and dozens of drones are now following their just about every step.
Convoys of trucks have lined roads in a bid to retain the herd away from densely populated locations, like the more than eight million people today who live in nearby Kunming.
The regional government has warned villagers not to leave corn or salt out in their yards that may well attract the animals.
It has also evacuated residents in the elephants’ path and distributed more than two tons of feed to the scavenging herd.
Experts are unsure why the group initially migrated away from their original habitat, a nature reserve in the province.