Seven elephants safely relocated to Angola

In an effort to combat the severe drought in Namibia, the Mount Etjo Safari Lodge has successfully captured and relocated seven of the approximately 50 elephants living in the reserve.

The majestic animals were captured on 5 August and successfully released in the Cuatir Nature Reserve in Angola on 7 August. This will be the first time in 50 years that elephants will once again inhabit the Angolan reserve.

“The decision to relocate the elephants was made to manage the wildlife population in the area, which had exceeded the region’s carrying capacity due to the ongoing drought. The relocation was essential to prevent further stress on both the elephants and the local ecosystem. In the coming weeks, an additional 10 to 20 animals will be relocated,” Mount Etjo announced in a statement.



Successful translocation

Wildlife Vets Namibia, who were responsible for transporting the animals, noted: "During the first relocation, the elephants were captured in the morning and loaded into special elephant transport crates. The road in Angola was tough, but the elephants – a bull, a cow with her calf, and four subadult animals – handled it well."

Wilflife Vets added: "Along the way, they were given water, and once we arrived in Angola, branches and grass. The release of the elephants was a magical moment. It was amazing to see them emerge, look around, and slowly move into the forest. Cuatir has a diverse landscape with floodplains, a river, grassland, and forest, providing the elephants with a wonderful new home. The feedback from the reserve is positive; all the elephants are together and doing well. The next group of elephants will be relocated soon."