China’s herd of wandering elephants takes a rest after 500km trek

Group of pachyderms that has been criss-crossing the countryside photographed lying down outside a village in Xiyang township

China's famous herd of wandering elephants has stopped for a rest after a 15-month journey far out of their natural habitat, an odyssey that has captivated the country.

Authorities have marshalled extraordinary resources to monitor the herd and keep it away from residential areas. According to Chinese media, the Yunnan forest fire brigade said a team of eight people were tracking the elephants, 24 hours a day, both on the ground and by drone from the air.