Kenya has successfully translocated 50 elephants from the Mwea National Reserve to the larger Aberdare National Park to address rising human-wildlife conflict.
The operation, led by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Erastus Kanga, aims to protect local communities and the elephants.
The relocation was prompted by an overpopulation of elephants in Mwea, a 42-square-kilometer reserve where the number of elephants has grown from 49 in 1979 to 156 today.
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This surge has strained the ecosystem and increased conflicts between humans and wildlife. Mwea is designed to hold around 49 elephants, highlighting the urgent need for this translocation.
To ease this pressure, 39 elephants have already been moved to Aberdare National Park, with the remaining 11 set to be translocated in the coming days. The 17-day operation, which cost the government approximately Ksh 14 million, involved relocating the elephants in family units.
Aberdare National Park, spanning 700 square kilometers, provides a much larger, greener, and more sustainable habitat for the elephants. This move is expected to alleviate the environmental strain on Mwea and enhance ecotourism in the Aberdare region, generating economic benefits for surrounding communities.
The initiative is part of Kenya’s broader National Elephant Action Plan, which focuses on conserving elephant populations, restoring habitats, and promoting peaceful human-wildlife coexistence.
By relocating these elephants, Kenya aims to create a more balanced ecosystem and foster long-term socio-economic well-being for nearby residents.
