Elephant translocation

Reasons for overpopulation at Majete National Park

• strict enforcement of anti-poaching laws

• successful breeding

Problems caused by elephant overpopulation

• greater competition for food, resulting in hunger among elephants

• damage to 1.  surrounding the park

The translocation process

• a suitable group whose members belonged to the same 2.  was chosen
• vets and park staff used 3.  to direct the animals towards an open plain

• elephants were immobilised with tranquillisers

• the work had to be done rapidly to limit 4. 
• the animals were placed on their 5.  so their lungs would not be harmed
• their 6.  was checked continuously

• tracking equipment was attached to each matriarch

• measurements of their tusks and 7.  were recorded

• the elephants were transported by truck to the new reserve

Advantages of translocation at Nkhotakota Wildlife Park

• more 8.  opportunities
• fewer poachers and fewer 9. 

• a conservation approach that other parks can copy

• growth in 10.  and its contribution to GDP