International Forest Day | Explore the candidate area for the Asian Elephant National Park and encounter the "rainforest giant"

In the spring, the Xishuangbanna area, a candidate area for the Asian Elephant National Park, seems to be holding its breath, waiting for the rainy season to arrive, when greenery will surge forth. This is the home of the Asian elephants, where they live. In this mysterious green world, the Asian elephants are closely connected with the plants and animals in the rainforest, forming a wonderful and harmonious ecosystem. On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, let us walk into the tropical rainforest ecosystem and encounter the "rainforest giants".

The secret message of the rainforest conveyed by "flowers growing on old stems"

The tropical rainforest is in the dry season in spring, and the vegetation is not particularly lush. Smart Asian elephants will look for places with abundant food and sufficient water sources, such as the Wild Elephant Valley in the Mengyang area of ​​the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in Yunnan. Here, you can see many unique plants and landscapes in the tropical rainforest. In the season when wild Asian elephants are active, you can also intuitively explore the close connection between Asian elephants and the tropical rainforest ecosystem.

A fruit-bearing fig tree allowed Shen Qingzhong, a senior engineer of the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in Yunnan, to introduce various wonderful phenomena in the tropical rainforest. "These fruits that look like 'figs' are the fruits of the fig tree. There are insects inside, and these insects and the fig tree have a symbiotic relationship. Neither can be missing." Shen Qingzhong said that the wonders of the fig tree are not limited to this. If you look closely, you can see that the fruits grow on the trunk, which is also one of the wonderful phenomena in the tropical rainforest - "flowers grow on old stems."

In addition to the fig tree, this phenomenon can be seen in many plants in the tropical rainforest, such as the wood apple that is currently in bud and the fire flower that is in full bloom... Of course, in addition to "flowers on old stems", there are also parasitic and epiphytic phenomena that can be seen everywhere, which have created a unique and peculiar landscape for the tropical rainforest, making these plants look special and full of vitality.

While observing these wonderful rainforest phenomena, you can also see traces left by wild Asian elephants. After all, there is no shortage of their favorite food. Asian elephants will eat the fruits and bark of the fig tree. When the fruit of the fruit tree matures, it is a delicious fruit for Asian elephants. Next to the traces left by the Asian elephants, you can also see new plants taking root and sprouting, conveying the hope of new life...

Rebirth in the rainforest

Currently, many wild Asian elephants gather in the Wild Elephant Valley. In addition to the abundant food and water sources, they are also looking for suitable mates here to reproduce. In recent days, wild Asian elephants have appeared frequently, and there are many newborn elephants in the elephant herd, and they have contributed many "famous scenes" - the mother elephant guards the baby elephant crossing the ditch, the elephant herd leads the baby elephant to play in the water, and several baby elephants play and fight... These scenes show the comfortable life of Asian elephants in the tropical rainforest, and also show the hope of new life.

However, it is not only the rainforest that brings hope for a new life to Asian elephants, but Asian elephants also "give back" to the rainforest that feeds them with practical actions, bringing hope for a new life to the rainforest. As "foodies", there are many foods that Asian elephants like in the rainforest. Shen Qingzhong introduced that currently, more than 400 species of plants that elephants can eat have been recorded. While eating, they also have a profound impact on the ecosystem of the rainforest.

Elephants have weak digestive abilities, and many seeds can survive after passing through their digestive tracts. As a result, the seeds can be carried to more places along the elephants' movements and spread to other places through their feces. For this reason, new plants taking root and sprouting can be seen in places where elephants leave traces of their activities. They play the role of "seed spreaders" and help many plants reproduce in the rainforest.

Wild Asian elephants are active by the river (photo taken on March 4). Photo by Xu Hualing, Xinhuanet

In addition, elephants often destroy some plants while foraging, but these seemingly destructive behaviors actually promote forest renewal and create living space for other organisms. "After the elephants eat or knock down these plants, they can actually help the sun shine in better and allow the forest to absorb nutrients," said Shen Qingzhong. In an open space trampled by elephants, you can see the sun shining through the tree canopy, and many new plant seedlings have grown on the ground.

Decoding the "language" of Asian elephants

"Their goal should be to go down to the river, but they are still observing, mainly because there are baby elephants in the herd and they have to consider the safety of the baby elephants." When encountering wild elephants, Shen Qingzhong "interprets" the every move of Asian elephants with his rich experience. On the plank road of the Wild Elephant Valley, he can also follow their pace to further observe and understand these "rainforest giants."

Adult Asian elephants take their young elephants down to the river for some fun (Photo taken on March 4). Photo by Xu Hualing, Xinhua News Agency

On that day, several elephant groups appeared in the Wild Elephant Valley, with a total of more than 20 wild Asian elephants. Shen Qingzhong habitually used a camera to record the activities of the elephant group. In the elephant group, the baby elephants, who were only a few months old, followed their mothers closely, and other family members also guarded them; the half-grown baby elephants happily played in the water, enjoying the fun of splashing water; the vigilant adult Asian elephants observed the tourists on the plank road and protected the safety of their families; on the hot afternoon, the elephants moved forward and took sand baths or mud baths in suitable places...

As soon as they appear, they become the well-deserved "protagonists" in the tropical rainforest. But when you walk into the tropical rainforest, you can see not only Asian elephants, but also a complex and exquisite network of life. Every Asian elephant is the guardian of this network; and every rainforest is the home of Asian elephants. They snuggle with each other and live in harmony.

Asian elephants walk out of the "elephant path" in the wild (photo taken on March 4). Xinhua News Agency Xu Hualing

Shen Qingzhong said that Asian elephants are the umbrella species of tropical rainforests, and their survival is crucial to the stability and biodiversity of the entire ecosystem. Protecting Asian elephants is protecting the entire ecosystem. He hopes that through a series of measures such as the establishment of the Asian Elephant National Park, strengthening scientific research monitoring, and carrying out popular science publicity, more and more people will know and understand Asian elephants, and thus join the ranks of protecting Asian elephants.

A group of Asian elephants active in the Wild Elephant Valley (photo taken on March 4). Photo by Xu Hualing, Xinhua News Agency

Since the Yunnan elephants migrated north and returned south, Asian elephants have attracted much attention. Yunnan has made great efforts to protect Asian elephants. Yunnan Province has always regarded the construction of ecological civilization as an important development goal, striving to be the leader in ecological civilization construction and constantly writing a new chapter of harmonious coexistence between man and nature. (End)

Chief Planner: Han Haikuo

Planning: Li Xia

Co-ordinator: Luo Chunming, Kang Jing

Executive Planning: Chai Jing, Xu Hualing

Text: Chai Jing

Editing: Xu Hualing

Poster: Chen Hanqing

Supporting Units

Yunnan Provincial Forestry and Grassland Bureau

Xishuangbanna Forestry and Grassland Bureau

Yunnan Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve Management Bureau