The elephants that inhabit the
Phirilongwe Forest Reserve and the surrounding area in the Ndowa Hills are all that remain of once large herds that occupied southern Malawi. Today, due to the increasing
human population pressures and encroachment into this area the lives of
these elephants and the local people are threatened by this deadly human-elephant conflict. More than 30 villages are situated on and
around what was once prime elephant habitat. Remaining habitat is being
overtaken by these subsistence farmers and elephant migration corridors are
being closed off.
The capture itself required darting and tranquillizing the elephants
from helicopter and on foot. The elephants were then transported on modified
game trucks to Majete Wildlife Reserve and escorted by the Malawi Traffic
Department.
View the slideshow to see this historic elephant rescue
Slideshow of Malawi Elephant Rescue 2009 | IFAW Web Site
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From the very first elephant families that were captured
quickly…to the last, massive bulls that filled the trailers
completely…to the crowds that gathered to cheer as the elephant
caravans passed…and the release of the elephants into their new home
where they will be safe and secure for the long term…the move was not
only an extraordinary accomplishment, but it was a great victory for
animal welfare.
