Field Trips
实地考察
3. Asian Elephant Conservation & Habitat Restoration
Practical Information
Dates: Available on July 3 2026
Duration: Full day
Departure time: 09:00
Travel time from Jinghong: Approx. 1–1.5 hours each way
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate walking
Maximum participants per group: 40
Additional groups may be organized depending on demand.
Estimated return time to Jinghong: approx. 18:30
Fee: USD 90 per person (approx. RMB 600)
Fee includes
• Round-trip transportation
• Scientific guiding and interpretation
• Lunch
• Dinner
Estimated return time to Jinghong: approx. 18:30
Scientific Lead
XTBG Scientific Coordination Team
Scientific Lead
XTBG Scientific Coordination Team
Academic Focus
This excursion examines Asian elephant conservation at the northern edge of its distribution range and explores landscape-scale habitat restoration strategies in tropical southern Yunnan. The program emphasizes human–wildlife coexistence, ecological corridor development, and the role of botanical gardens in supporting long-term ecosystem resilience.
Scientific Highlights
Asian elephant habitat dynamics and movement corridors
Human–elephant conflict mitigation strategies
Landscape fragmentation and connectivity restoration
Native tree species selection for ecological corridor recovery
Integration of in situ conservation and ex situ plant resources
Site Context
Southern Yunnan supports a recovering population of Asian elephants within a mosaic landscape of tropical forest, agricultural land, and settlements. Over recent decades, ecological corridors and adaptive management strategies have been developed to reduce conflict and improve habitat connectivity.
XTBG contributes to regional ecological restoration efforts through research on native tree species, forest regeneration mechanisms, and landscape-scale biodiversity monitoring.
What participants will experience
The morning session will take place in Wild Elephant Valley, where participants will explore an Asian elephant habitat and conservation landscape in southern Yunnan. Under guided interpretation, the group will examine habitat features, movement corridors, and the broader ecological and management context of elephant conservation in a human-modified tropical landscape.
Wild Asian elephants may occasionally be observed in the area, but sightings cannot be guaranteed, as elephant presence depends on natural movement patterns and field conditions on the day of the visit.
In the afternoon, the group will visit XTBG to examine native species restoration strategies, corridor-supporting plant collections, and tropical forest regeneration research. The session will highlight how botanical gardens contribute to large-scale conservation planning through scientific research and germplasm resources.
Photos: Zhang Peng
