Recently, wildlife experts kicked off an impressive project to relocate 50 elephants to Aberdare National Park, a magnificent expanse covering 301 square miles (780 square kilometers) in central Kenya.
As of Monday, 44 of these gentle giants were moved, leaving just six more to be transported.
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Kenya faces an intriguing issue: a booming elephant population. The nearby reserve, only 16 square miles (42 square kilometers) in size, has seen its elephant count jump from a manageable 50 to an overwhelming 156, necessitating the relocation of nearly 100 elephants.
It’s remarkable to note that just over 40 years ago, only 49 elephants lived in the reserve.
Erustus Kanga, the Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, pointed out that this increase highlights the success of conservation measures over the last three decades. “This shows that poaching has been low, allowing the elephants to thrive,” he remarked.
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Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano hailed this operation as a significant achievement in wildlife conservation.
She stated, “This will be a historic moment, as we witness the largest translocation of elephants ever conducted at once.”
The meticulous relocation process began early, involving over 100 wildlife specialists supported by a fleet of specialized trucks, planes, and cruisers.
A fixed-wing aircraft scoured the skies to spot elephant herds, which usually travel in family units, while coordinating with two helicopters to manage the herd and ensure family bonds were preserved during the move.
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In one of the helicopters, a spotter keeps an eye out for elephants while a veterinarian stands by with a tranquilizer. Once an elephant is sedated, a ground team prepares for its transport.
The team monitors vital signs as they carefully lift the massive creatures, which can weigh up to six tons, onto specialized trucks for a 70-mile journey to their new home.
Kanga highlighted that the relocation also aims to reduce human-wildlife conflict, which has become a pressing issue in the area.
Local resident Boniface Mbau welcomed the government’s actions, saying, “We’re relieved that the number of elephants is being reduced. They’ve been competing for food in the reserve and encroaching on our farms.”
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Plans for a second phase, involving another 50 elephants, are in the works, though the timeline is yet to be announced. The project has already incurred costs of around 12 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $93,000), as reported by the wildlife agency.
Kenya’s national parks are renowned for their rich biodiversity, drawing millions of tourists annually and solidifying the country’s reputation as a leading destination for nature lovers.
This article includes contributions from The Associated Press.