A herd of elephants that attracted public attention by making a year-long journey into south-west China, raiding farms and even a retirement home for food, appears to be heading home.
Local authorities sent out lorries, workers and drones to monitor the elephants, cleared roads to allow them to pass safely and used food to steer them away from populated areas. Despite their march into villages and approach of the Yunnan provincial capital of Kunming, no other animals or humans were injured.
The 14 Asian elephants of various size and age were guided across the Yuanjiang river in Yunnan on Sunday night and a path is being opened for them to return to the nature reserve they left in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.
The elephants left the reserve more than a year ago for unknown reasons and roamed more than 500 kilometres north. After reaching the outskirts of Kunming, a centre for business and tourism, they turned south again but still are far from their former home.
One male that separated from the herd was tranquilised and returned to the reserve.
Asian elephants are among the most highly protected animals in China and their population has grown to about 300, even while their habitat has shrunk because of expanded farming and urban growth.
As of Sunday night, the herd was still in Yuanjiang County, approximately 200 kilometres from the reserve.
The National Forestry and Grassland Administration said the animals were in a “suitable habitat” after crossing the river.
A notice issued by the provincial government said the herd’s progress was significant and it would continue to work on getting the elephants back into their natural habitat as soon as possible.
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7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
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Price, base: Dh141,740 (three-door) / Dh165,900 (five-door)
Engine: 1.5-litre four-cylinder (Cooper) / 2.0-litre four-cylinder (Cooper S)
Power: 136hp @ 4,500rpm (Cooper) / 192hp @ 5,000rpm (Cooper S)
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Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 4.8L to 5.4L / 100km
Key facilities
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
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RESULTS
5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
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Info
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When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
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Borussia Dortmund v Schalke (4.30pm)
RB Leipzig v Freiburg (4.30pm)
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Augsburg v Wolfsburg (4.30pm)
Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Monchengladbach (7.30pm)
Sunday, May 17
Cologne v Mainz (4.30pm),
Union Berlin v Bayern Munich (7pm)
Monday, May 18
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Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
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Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
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if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
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Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
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