China's Famous Wandering Elephants May Finally Be Heading Home

The elephants were guided across the Yuanjiang river in Yunnan on Sunday night

An elephant herd that captivated millions with their yearlong journey across China appears to finally be heading home. The herd of 14 Asian elephants made international headlines with their long trek through southwest China, during which they raided farms, houses and even a retirement home in search of food. It is unclear why the wild elephants strayed so far from their habitat in the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve in Yunnan province - but it appears they are finally making their way back home.  The elephants were guided across the Yuanjiang river in Yunnan on Sunday night and authorities are working to open a path for them to return to the nature reserve where they lived in the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. As of Sunday night, the herd was still 200 km away from the reserve, but authorities say the animals are in a "suitable habitat" after crossing the river. The elephants left the nature reserve more than a year ago and wandered over 500 km. It is not clear why they left the reserve, although experts say that shrinking habitats could have played a hand in their surprise migration.