The elephants have traveled more than 500 kilometers (311 miles) and left a trail of destruction in their wake, according to China's state news agency Xinhua.
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It is unclear why the elephants left the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in in southwestern China. The reserve is near China's border with Laos and Myanmar.
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Officials prepare a drone to monitor the elephant herd in Eshan County of Yunnan province on May 29.
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A drone's infrared imaging system is used to track and monitor the elephants.
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The herd roams through a neighborhood near Shuanghe Township in Yunnan province.
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Of the 15 elephants, one male has broken free from the herd and is currently about 4 km to the northeast of the group, according to the on-site command tracking the elephants.
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A government official shows the migration route of the elephants in Eshan County on May 28.
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More than 360 people, 76 police cars and dirt trucks and nine drones are part of a task force following the elephants.
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The creatures have caused significant disruption during their trek. Residents were told to stay indoors while pedestrians and vehicles were evacuated in the town of Eshan after the elephants roamed the streets for six hours.
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Officials use a drone to track the herd in Kunming, Yunnan province, on June 5.
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Monitoring images show the herd is comprised of six female adults, three male adults, three sub-adults and three calves.
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