Landmark Elephant Translocation: Mwea Reserve To Aberdare National Park – 14/10/2024

Nyeri County, Mweiga, Kenya – Monday, 14th October 2024: The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has made significant progress in the ongoing translocation of elephants from Mwea National Reserve to Aberdare National Park.

Today, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, oversaw the capture and release of a herd of five elephants as part of this operation that’s nearing completion.

The initiative, which targets the relocation of 50 elephants, reflects the government’s commitment to improving human-wildlife coexistence and mitigating environmental degradation in the Mwea National Reserve. Since the operation began nearly two weeks ago, 44 elephants have successfully been relocated, reaching a major milestone in the 17-day exercise.

The elephant population in Mwea has risen significantly — from 49 individuals in 1979 to 156 today — exceeding the reserve’s carrying capacity by a big margin. This population growth, though a conservation success, has placed immense pressure on the ecosystem, causing elephants to stray into nearby settlements, where they have damaged crops, infrastructure, and property. Therefore, this translocation is critical for safeguarding both the elephants and the affected communities.

To ensure their successful integration into Aberdare National Park, the relocated elephants are being closely monitored. Some have been fitted with GPS collars to track their movements over the next two years through the Earth Ranger system. Additionally, communities have been sensitized and the problem animal special unit is on standby to manage any potential incidents of elephants encroaching into human-inhabited areas.

At both the capture and release sites, Hon. Miano emphasized the urgency of the translocation, pointing out how Kenya’s growing human population is increasingly encroaching on elephant rangelands, exacerbating conflicts. She noted that the operation will yield long-term benefits, including strengthening vulnerable elephant populations, enhancing genetic diversity, and protecting ecosystems critical to both elephants and other wildlife.

Additionally, the anticipated increase in elephant numbers in Aberdare National Park is expected to boost tourism, supporting economic growth and sustainable development.

Hon. Miano also stressed that Kenya is a custodian of wildlife heritage that belongs to the global community and therefore requires regional and international collaboration. She urged partners, including county governments to support the national government in its efforts to manage and protect Kenya’s elephant population while advocating for ongoing collaboration with local, regional, and international stakeholders in addressing the threats posed by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.

“Elephant translocations are complex but they offer immense long-term benefits,” Hon. Miano said. “By relocating elephants, we not only protect the animals and the communities they affect, but also advance conservation and tourism.”

KWS Director General Dr Erustus Kanga noted that elephants as a keystone species are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, unchecked population growth in confined spaces can lead to environmental degradation and escalate human-wildlife conflicts. He reiterated Kenya Wildlife Service dedication to conserving these iconic animals and their habitats while ensuring the well-being of surrounding communities as envisioned in the newly launched KWS Strategic Plan (2024-2028).

This translocation initiative also underscores the significant strides Kenya has made in elephant conservation. Between 1979 and 1989, Kenya’s elephant population plummeted due to rampant poaching for ivory, from an estimated 170,000 to just 16,000. The establishment of KWS through an Act of Parliament was a crucial response to this crisis. Thanks to sustained conservation efforts, the national wildlife census of 2021 recorded an elephant population of 36,280—a clear testament to the success of collaborative conservation initiatives.

The translocation is being carried out by over 50 multidisciplinary and highly skilled technical experts, following IUCN guidelines and the Translocation and Immobilization Protocol for the African Elephant in Kenya (2019). This ensures the safety and well-being of the elephants throughout the process.