15 lost elephants are wreaking havoc while traveling across southwest China and millions of people can't stop watching their every move

Taylor ArdreyJun 9, 2021, 23:02 IST

Aerial photo taken on May 28, 2021 shows a herd of wild Asian elephants in Eshan County, Yuxi City, southwest China's Yunnan Province.Hu Chao/Xinhua via Getty Images

A herd of 15 elephants is wandering around China after they left their reserve last year.
Millions of people in China have tuned into livestreams to witness their journey, CNN reported.
The group has reportedly knocked on doors and even strolled into a car dealership.

Drones are tracking the journey of a wild herd of elephants across southwest China.

Aerial photo taken on June 6, 2021 shows wild Asian elephants in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Xinhua via Getty Images

The 15 lost elephants have traveled hundreds of miles over the past year after leaving their protected reserve in Yunnan province in southwest China.

Aerial photo taken on June 6, 2021 shows wild Asian elephants in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Xinhua via Getty Images

The herd, which has three calves, has been raising havoc during the 300-mile journey. They have knocked on people's doors, put their trunks through residents' windows, strolled into a car dealership, and destroyed over $1 million of crops.

In this photo taken June 4, 2021 and released by the Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade, a migrating herd of elephants roam through a neighborhood near the Shuanghe Township, Jinning District of Kunming city in southwestern China's Yunnan Province. Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade via AP

The herd, which has three calves, has been raising havoc during the 300-mile journey. They have knocked on people's doors, put their trunks through residents' windows, strolled into a car dealership, and destroyed over $1 million of crops.

Authorities are monitoring the Asian elephants - an endangered species - and have prepared tons of food, like corn and pineapples, to help the herd pivot away from residential areas.

In this photo taken June 4, 2021, and released by the Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade, a migrating herd of elephants graze near Shuanghe Township, Jinning District of Kunming city in southwestern China's Yunnan Province. Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade via AP

Authorities are monitoring the Asian elephants - an endangered species - and have prepared tons of food, like corn and pineapples, to help the herd pivot away from residential areas.

More than 400 emergency personnel are on the ground watching their movement, according to the Guardian. There have been no reported injuries.

In this photo taken June 4, 2021 and released by Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade, a migrating herd of elephants roam through farmlands of Shuanghe Township, Jinning District of Kunming city in southwestern China's Yunnan Province. Yunnan Forest Fire Brigade via AP

The herd took a moment to rest on Monday, June 7, in Jinning District of Kunming.

Aerial photo taken on June 7, 2021 shows wild Asian elephants in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Xinhua via Getty Images

It's not clear what prompted the elephants to leave their reserve in Xishuangbanna in the first place. It could be due to changes in their habitat, an expert told the Associated Press.

Aerial photo taken on June 6, 2021 shows wild Asian elephants in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province Xinhua via Getty Images

It's not clear what prompted the elephants to leave their reserve in Xishuangbanna in the first place. It could be due to changes in their habitat, an expert told the Associated Press.

"What possibly happened here is that in their search for new habitat, they got lost along the way and kept going," Nilanga Jayasinghe told the AP.

Aerial photo taken on June 5, 2021 shows wild Asian elephants in Jinning District of Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Xinhua via Getty Images

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15 lost elephants are wreaking havoc while traveling across southwest China and millions of people can't stop watching their every move

Drones are tracking the journey of a wild herd of elephants across southwest China.

The 15 lost elephants have traveled hundreds of miles over the past year after leaving their protected reserve in Yunnan province in southwest China.

The herd, which has three calves, has been raising havoc during the 300-mile journey. They have knocked on people's doors, put their trunks through residents' windows, strolled into a car dealership, and destroyed over $1 million of crops.

Authorities are monitoring the Asian elephants - an endangered species - and have prepared tons of food, like corn and pineapples, to help the herd pivot away from residential areas.

More than 400 emergency personnel are on the ground watching their movement, according to the Guardian. There have been no reported injuries.

The herd took a moment to rest on Monday, June 7, in Jinning District of Kunming.

It's not clear what prompted the elephants to leave their reserve in Xishuangbanna in the first place. It could be due to changes in their habitat, an expert told the Associated Press.

"What possibly happened here is that in their search for new habitat, they got lost along the way and kept going," Nilanga Jayasinghe told the AP.