Wild elephant kills one in SW China

A wild Asian elephant killed a villager in southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to local authorities.

The victim, surnamed Ming, was a 37-year-old resident in Qiaojia County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Region, who was attacked by a wild Asian elephant Thursday in a mountain forest on his way to work at around 6:40am.

Two of Li's coworkers were riding motorcycles with him when the accident happened, and they reported to local police after rushing out of the forest.

Local authorities have strengthened surveillance of the hit-and-run elephant and warned residents to stay alert.

Further investigation is underway.

Wild Asian elephants are under Class A protection in China, with a population of about 300, mainly scattered in Yunnan. With strengthened protection efforts for the environment and wildlife, the number of wild Asian elephants has been growing in recent years.