Kenya has relocated 50 elephants to a new home due to overpopulation in the Mwea National Reserve.
The latest national wildlife census recorded 156 elephants in Mwea, more than three times the reserve's capacity. As a result, elephants wandered into nearby villages, damaging crops, infrastructure, and property.
The elephants were moved to the larger Aberdare National Park by wildlife specialists.To transport them in a caged truck, the elephants were sedated with tranquilizer darts and tied by the feet.
Kenya's elephant population plummeted dramatically a few decades ago due to widespread poaching for ivory. However, years of conservation efforts have helped increase the numbers, and some parks, like Mwea National Reserve, are now struggling with overpopulation.
Their relocation will reduce environmental damage caused by having a large number of animals in a small ecosystem, said Isaac Lekolool, head of capture and veterinary services at the Kenya Wildlife Service.All elephants have been fitted with GPS collars so that rangers can track their movements over the next two years and monitor their adaptation to their new environment.
