Last week, experts initiated the relocation of 50 elephants to the sprawling Aberdare National Park, spanning 301 square miles (780 square kilometers) in central Kenya.
By Monday, 44 elephants had already been moved, with six more scheduled for transport.
Brian Inganga/AP
Kenya is facing a unique challenge: an elephant population surge. The reserve, covering 16 square miles (42 square kilometers) east of Nairobi, has seen its elephant numbers soar from a sustainable 50 to an astonishing 156, requiring the relocation of around 100 of the majestic animals.
Just over four decades ago, the reserve hosted a mere 49 elephants.
Erustus Kanga, Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service, emphasizes that this overpopulation underscores the success of conservation efforts over the past thirty years. “This shows that poaching has been low and the elephants have been able to thrive,” he said.
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Tourism Minister Rebecca Miano, overseeing the operation, called it a historic milestone.
She said “This will go down in history as a record, as it is the biggest exercise of its kind. It is the first time we are witnessing the translocation of 50 elephants at once.”
The complex process of relocation began at dawn and mobilized over 100 wildlife specialists equipped with specialized trucks, aircraft, and cruisers.
A fixed-wing aircraft conducted aerial surveys to locate elephant herds, which typically travel in small family groups. It maintained constant communication with two helicopters tasked with herding and separating the elephants to ensure family units remained intact during relocation.
Brian Inganga/AP
Inside one of the helicopters, a spotter searches for elephants while a veterinarian stands ready with a tranquilizer gun. Once an elephant is sedated, a ground team of veterinary specialists and rangers clears the area to prepare for transport.
As vital signs are monitored, another group works to lift the massive animal—often weighing up to six tons—onto specialized trucks for a 70 mile journey to its new habitat.
Kanga noted that the relocation also aims to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, a growing concern in the region.
Resident Boniface Mbau expressed relief at the government’s intervention, saying, “We are very happy that the government has decided to reduce the number of elephants from the area. Due to their high numbers, they did not have enough food in the reserve, and they ended up invading our farms.”
Brian Inganga/AP
Plans are underway for a second phase of relocation involving an additional 50 elephants, though the timing remains undisclosed. The project has incurred costs of at least 12 million Kenyan shillings (around $93,000), according to the wildlife agency.
Kenya’s national parks and reserves are renowned for their diverse wildlife and attract millions of tourists each year, reinforcing the country’s status as a premier destination for nature enthusiasts.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press
