Yunnan sees major growth in elephant population

As the major habitat of wild Asian elephants, Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture in Yunnan province 【小题1】 (see) a significant growth in its population of elephants and other wild animals in recent decades.

Between January and May of 2021, the number of cases involving the illegal destruction of forest resources in the prefecture has declined 【小题2】 76.6 percent compared with the same period last year.

All of the Asian elephants in Yunnan, the main habitat of the animal, live in the 【小题3】 (south) part of the province, which covers Xishuangbanna, and the cities of Pu'er and Lincang. Of the three, Xishuangbanna has 【小题4】 (large) number of Asian elephants.

【小题5】 (protect) the Asian elephant as well as other wildlife, the prefecture expanded the area of its nature reserves, which has nearly doubled from 24,000 hectares in 【小题6】 1980s to 41,466 hectares now. In 1996, a Wild Asian Elephant Valley 【小题7】 (establish). It has served as the prefecture's biggest wild animal rescue center, 【小题8】 more than 1,200 animals have been saved so far. In 2008, China’s first Asian elephant breeding base was also built in the valley.

A significant increase in the population of elephants is a 【小题9】 (reflect) of these decades-long protection efforts. 【小题10】 (list) as the top conservation species in China, the wild Asian elephant has seen its population grow to about 300 now.

Millions of migratory(有迁居习惯的) birds start arriving at the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve in Dongying, Shandong province, in mid-October. They rest in the wetlands, feeding on a rich variety of food such as fish, shrimps and grain to build their 【小题1】 (strong). Some birds even make the wetlands 【小题2】 (they) home all year.

Zhao Yajie, 34, is a member of the team patrolling the wetlands every day 【小题3】 (ensure) a safe environment for the birds. Zhao started work at the reserve in 2014. Her main jobs are conducting scientific research on ecological restoration and protection, 【小题4】 monitoring the birds’ conditions, such as their numbers and the different types of species at the reserve, along with the birds’ environment.

Information gathered on the birds’ habits helps Zhao and her colleagues create a better environment for them. To ensure these 【小题5】 (arrival) have sufficient food, the team has created 【小题6】 it calls “small dining tables” for the birds.

Over the past seven years, Zhao 【小题7】 (visit) all the reserve’s main areas. “Every year, I welcome migratory birds at the reserve and see them depart. I have seen some species several times, but 【小题8】 each occasion, I am just as excited as the first time,” she said.

In her spare time, Zhao gives speeches to students 【小题9】 (conduct) field studies at the reserve. “The students are very interested in the birds, plants and landscape at the reserve. They will learn a lot, such as why Oriental storks communicate by clattering their bills and why some grass tastes 【小题10】 (salt). Students can also try their hand at making nests,” she said.

Some American cities are banning drive-through windows at fast—food restaurants. There are two basic reasons for the bans: concern for the environment and the need【小题1】(fight) obesity.

In the US, most adults drive automobiles and almost 40% of the adults are overweight. That’s partly【小题2】people are worried about the environment and unhealthy diets. Supporters of the bans hope fewer drive-through windows【小题3】(reduce) litter and air pollution from customers driving cars. Some also think that people will choose healthier food if there is no longer the convenience of a drive-through window.