Malawi to relocate 500 elephants

Malawi is relocating hundreds of elephants due to overcrowding in the parks.

The elephants are being moved to the Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve in the central part of the Southern African country.

This is the largest-ever relocation of elephants in Africa.

Elvis Kamoto, parks manager, Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve says, “Obviously there will be a big attraction to tourism. So, that is what African Parks is striving for, to have parks that are functional, parks that are attractive enough to tourists but also parks that properly protect biodiversity.”

The relocation of the herd is being led by African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation. This move will aid halt a steep decline in elephant numbers with new surveillance and security measures.

Already, 136 elephants have been moved to the reserve. The elephant relocation will take place over a period of one year.

Reuters