Villagers get smartphone elephant alerts

In Basan village, where nearly all of the 2,200 residents have smartphones, the mobile devices now provide updates on activities of nearby wild elephants - not just as reminders for wildlife observers, but as a safety alert.

The village, in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Southwest China's Yunnan province, has witnessed frequent visits by wild elephants in recent years, sometimes accompanied by safety threats.

"An elephant alert alliance has been formed voluntarily in the village," said local resident Huang Zhaowu. "Anyone who notices a wild elephant nearby will spread the alert on social media or share it on (WeChat) Moments," he said.