Kenya's massive elephant transfer underway as first group is shifted

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2005

SHIMBA HILLS NATIONAL RESERVE, Kenya (AFP) — A first family of five elephants was relocated from this overcrowded reserve at Kenya's coastal region, a day after a similar exercise was called off midway because of bad weather, officials said.

The five are among 400 jumbos earmarked for relocation from Shimba Hills National Reserve, where they are being captured and winched into a crate for the 140-kilometer (85-mile) drive to a new home in Tsavo East National Park.

"The family includes the matriarch, two young males and two females," said Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Elephant Programme Coordinator Patrick Omondi.

On Thursday, rangers called off the exercise after capturing a bull when foggy weather hampered helicopter tracking of the animals.

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