KUNMING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Wild elephants attacked and killed one person on Sunday in southwest China's Yunnan Province, local authorities said.

Cao, a 51-year-old tea farmer from Mojiang County, was attacked and killed by a group of wild Asian elephants on his way to pick tea leaves at around 6:30 a.m. Sunday in Dahuangba Village, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.

Further investigation is underway.

The insurance company has started the settlement of claims. Since 2014, Yunnan has purchased commercial insurance for residents of the province. The government pays the premiums and insurance companies compensate residents if wild animals attack them.

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 environment and wildlife, the number of wild Asian elephants has been growing in recent years.