Long-term plan to better protect Asian elephants

Asian elephants, an endangered species, are expected to receive better protection through the creation of a new research center and expansion of one breeding and rescue center and creation of another in Yunnan province.

The Asian elephant research center will be located in the Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture - the main habitat of wild elephants in the province, local authorities announced on Tuesday. It will be supervised by the provincial forestry department.

The center will encourage crossborder studies and research, including the ecology where elephants live, their behavior, genetics and relationship with local society. Officials say that will provide guidance to help save the species from extinction and ease tension between elephants and residents.