In good hands, elephant calf recovers from injury

The center, which is the only research institute in China that focuses on Asian elephant rescue and breeding, has assisted more than 20 injured elephants since it was established in 2008.

The Asian elephant is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species and is under the highest level of State protection in China.

In recent decades, the species has faced a number of threats, including a surge in the human population, a reduction in forested areas and increased poaching.

However, after determined protection efforts made by local authorities and villagers, the population of wild Asian elephants in Yunnan has risen from about 180 in the 1980s to around 300 today.