Africa's elephant population is under threat from poaching and habitat loss. In some areas there are more animals than the environment can sustain. One conservation NGO is planning to relocate 500 elephants from overpopulated areas to those that can better-support them. <em>Photo: Nuria Ortega</em><br />
Moving 500 elephants —
Africa's elephant population is under threat from poaching and habitat loss. In some areas there are more animals than the environment can sustain. One conservation NGO is planning to relocate 500 elephants from overpopulated areas to those that can better-support them. Photo: Nuria Ortega
Courtesy AFRICAN PARKS © NURIA ORTEGA
African Parks, a conservation NGO that manages national parks and protected areas across Africa, is heading up the massive operation. The first phase this month saw 92 elephants moving home. For their capture, a helicopter is used to herd the family groups together into a suitable place.
Moving 500 elephants —
African Parks, a conservation NGO that manages national parks and protected areas across Africa, is heading up the massive operation. The first phase this month saw 92 elephants moving home. For their capture, a helicopter is used to herd the family groups together into a suitable place.
Courtesy African Parks
The elephants are then sedated by darts from above by rangers, which immobilizes them. As each animal falls, a team on the ground approaches it for a health check, ensuring it can breathe normally. If an elephant falls on its chest, it needs to be moved immediately, as this can cause asphyxiation. <em>Photo: Frank Weitzer</em>
Moving 500 elephants —
The elephants are then sedated by darts from above by rangers, which immobilizes them. As each animal falls, a team on the ground approaches it for a health check, ensuring it can breathe normally. If an elephant falls on its chest, it needs to be moved immediately, as this can cause asphyxiation. Photo: Frank Weitzer
Courtesy African Parks
The animals' vital signs are monitored by the team paramedic throughout the move. <em>Photo: Frank Weitzer</em>
Moving 500 elephants —
The animals' vital signs are monitored by the team paramedic throughout the move. Photo: Frank Weitzer
Courtesy African Parks
Once asleep, the elephant is airlifted onto a truck. <em>Photo: Frank Weitzer</em>
Moving 500 elephants —
Once asleep, the elephant is airlifted onto a truck. Photo: Frank Weitzer
Courtesy African Parks
The team take care not to separate baby elephants from their mothers, according to the organization. <em>Photo: Frank Weitzer</em><br />
Moving 500 elephants —
The team take care not to separate baby elephants from their mothers, according to the organization. Photo: Frank Weitzer
Courtesy African Parks
Once inside the truck, they are given a reversal drug to wake them up. They will then be sedated once more with a long-acting tranquilizer which keeps them asleep throughout the seven-hour journey to their new home in the Nkhotakota sanctuary, where elephant populations have dropped massively in recent years. <em>Photo: Frank Weitzer</em>
Moving 500 elephants —
Once inside the truck, they are given a reversal drug to wake them up. They will then be sedated once more with a long-acting tranquilizer which keeps them asleep throughout the seven-hour journey to their new home in the Nkhotakota sanctuary, where elephant populations have dropped massively in recent years. Photo: Frank Weitzer
Courtesy African Parks
After about a day in a small holding area by the entrance to the sanctuary, during which the families can reconnect with their family groups, the newcomers are released into their new home. This summer will see another 150 elephants rehomed, with the remaining 250 scheduled to be moved next year. <em>Photo: Will Whitford</em><br />
Moving 500 elephants —
After about a day in a small holding area by the entrance to the sanctuary, during which the families can reconnect with their family groups, the newcomers are released into their new home. This summer will see another 150 elephants rehomed, with the remaining 250 scheduled to be moved next year. Photo: Will Whitford
Courtesy African Parks