Malawi is moving over 250 elephants from the country’s Liwonde National Park to yet another reserve located nearly 350 kilometers away.
After several years of successful wildlife conservation, the Liwonde National Park in southern Malawi is being decongested.
Some 250 elephants are being relocated from this reserve to the Kasungu National Park in the center of the Southern African country. The operation is conducted by the Malawi government and its partners.
Why? Apparently the aim is to alleviate pressure on the habitat and reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
The translocation from Liwonde National Park sees the Jumbos moving into their new home in Kasungu National Park to restore the elephant populations in the area.
Poaching, habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict have been driving factors behind the decimated elephant populations across Africa.
For Malawi, the authorities decided to take action before it gets too late.
In an incredible collaborative effort to secure the future for Malawi’s elephants, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), African Parks, and Department of National Parks and Wildlife in Malawi are working together to relocate these 250 elephants.
The ultimate goal for establishing thriving elephant populations, alleviating human-wildlife conflict and restoring healthy habitats.
So far, the journey to transport the Jumbo is going on well, according to officials.
The first family herd of 10 elephants reportedly walked peacefully from their transport vehicles into a holding boma at Kasungu!
Again, by the end of the first week, at least 40 among the 250 elephants were officially transported and released, from the first park to the second.
The other 200 or so elephants are ready to take the next step in their translocation journey in the coming days and weeks.