SAFETY TIPS

Experts offer the following advice for anyone likely to come into contact with roaming elephants:

1. Develop an awareness of the animals. Learn about how they live, how to get away from them and ways to protect them.

2. Keep abreast of warnings issued by monitors about the elephants' activities and avoid areas where the animals are on the move.

3. Pay attention to warning signs about the elephants. Listen to instructions from those monitoring the animals and avoid entering dangerous areas. If you are already in an area where elephants are active, follow monitors' instructions and leave as quickly as possible.

4. Elephants have strong nocturnal vision and like to move around at night. For your safety, avoid areas that are off limits.

5. Be aware that barking dogs can cause the elephants to attack them and possibly hurt others.

6. When encountering elephants, keep a distance of at least 300 meters. People should not gather to watch the animals, or tease, frighten or hurt them. Remain calm, observe the situation and leave the area quickly.

7. Avoid wearing bright-colored attire, such as trousers or hats, in areas where the elephants are active, in case it attracts them. Ask locals and people with a full knowledge of the animals about the creatures' activities. Pay attention to your surroundings and observe traces left by the elephants, such as fallen plants, footprints, feces and urine.