Collision Reduction Studies

With more than 60 per cent of China’s wildlife species and its last rainforest, the province of Yunnan, has been nicknamed "the Animal Kingdom." It is the only province in China in which Asian elephants live, and there are less than 200 remaining. As elephants are an endangered species, they are protected by China’s Wildlife Law. However, over the years, due to deforestation, excessive hunting and agricultural encroachment on rain forests, the numbers have nevertheless plummeted.

A perfect example of the affect of human encroachment on elephant populations is the high frequency of human-elephant incidents along Sixiao Highway, located in Yunnan province. Nineteen miles of this highway cross over an important elephant migratory route.

Highway monitoring

As part of the IFAW’s Asian Elephant Conservation Project, we have been carrying out a collision reduction study for more than a year. Staff has been monitoring these 19 miles of Sixiao Highway. In July 2007, the first year study analysis was finalized, which showed 46 elephants observed to walk across the highway Mengyang section, while about 100 green plants along the highway were destroyed, and two highway traffic accidents involving elephants were recorded. The result of the study was submitted to Sixiao Highway Management Bureau and Xishuangbanna Nature Reserve Management Bureau and these local government agencies show great concern for the issue. In collaboration with local government agencies, IFAW will continue highway monitoring and will also facilitate the establishment of multi-agency precautionary mechanism and safety education activities to reduce collision.

Erecting signage

After identifying which specific location was most in need, IFAW and the Sixiao highway authority, placed billboards and traffic signs along Sixiao Highway warning motorists not to honk their horns and to drive carefully along specific sections of the roadway.

Two Asian elephants prepare to cross a road in Simao, China. The Asian Elephant Protection (AEP) project is a unique Asian elephant conservation initiative of IFAW in China to promote successful solutions to human/wildlife conflict that has plagued the area of Simao, southwest of Yunnan.
Photo © IFAW/Jian

An electronic banner on the Sixiao highway with a safety message saying "Look out for wild elephants when driving through."
Photo © IFAW/L. Aidong

An IFAW staff person collecting field data to help determine the population of Asian elephants in the Simao area as part of the Asian Elephant Protection project.
Photo © IFAW/Jian