Kenya Relocates Elephants to Aberdare Park

Kenya has launched a historic operation to relocate 50 elephants from Mwea National Reserve to Aberdare National Park due to significant overpopulation, with the number of elephants rising from 49 in 1979 to 156 today. As of October 14, 2024, 44 elephants have been successfully moved, with the operation involving over 100 wildlife specialists, aircraft, and specialized trucks. This initiative reflects Kenya's conservation success, as highlighted by Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Erustus Kanga, who noted lower poaching rates have allowed the population to thrive. The translocation aims to alleviate pressure on the ecosystem and reduce human-elephant conflicts, which have increased as elephants venture into nearby settlements. Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, emphasized the urgency of the operation, noting that it is unprecedented in scale. The relocated elephants will be monitored with GPS collars to ensure their integration into the new environment.