KUNMING, Feb. 13 -- A wild Asian elephant wandered onto a crowded tourist road in southwest China's Yunnan Province and damaged more than a dozen parked cars.

The elephant, named "Zhusunya", left the Yexianggu (Wild Elephant Valley) scenic area in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and walked onto a major road around 4 p.m. Friday, according to publicity authorities with the prefecture.

During its 20 minutes stay on the road, the elephant playfully ran into and trampled tourists' cars, damaging or denting 15 parked cars. Zhusunya then disappeared into the scenic area looking for food.

Local policemen and scenic spot staff warned people away from the site and closed nearby roads to ensure safety and traffic after the elephant strayed onto the road.

Personnel with the scenic area and the insurance company investigated the conditions of the cars and will offer compensation.

Staff with the scenic area said wild elephants have been active since the prefecture entered its dry season. During the week-long Spring Festival holiday, tourists have seen wild elephants wandering in the area everyday.

Zhusunya, a female elephant, is in heat and has had an erratic temperament recently, staff said.

The scenic spot has reserved special passageways for elephant on nearby roads and arranged park staff to protect the passages. Staff said it is a rare occurrence for an elephant to deviate from the elephant trails and enter the main road.