STORY: Kenya relocates 50 elephants to boost human, wildlife coexistence
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 14-16, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 18, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:27
LOCATION: Nairobi
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the relocation of elephants

STORYLINE:

Kenya's wildlife authorities on Wednesday completed the relocation of 50 elephants from Mwea National Reserve to Aberdare National Park.

The initiative took about 17 days. 

According to local authorities, the elephant population in Mwea has risen significantly from 49 individuals in 1979 to 156, exceeding the reserve's carrying capacity by a big margin.
   
The growing population has placed immense pressure on the ecosystem, causing elephants to stray into nearby settlements, where they have damaged crops, infrastructure, and property.
   
Director General of Kenya Wildlife Service Erustus Kanga noted that elephants, as a keystone species, are vital to maintaining healthy ecosystems, but unchecked population growth in confined spaces can lead to environmental degradation and escalate human-wildlife conflicts.
   
Kanga added that the relocated elephants are being closely monitored, with some having been fitted with GPS collars to track their movements over the next two years through the EarthRanger system. 

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Nairobi.
(XHTV)