News

South African National Parks (SANParks) successfully translocated 42 elephants from what is known as the Main Camp section of Addo Elephant National Park (AENP) to its newly secured Kabouga section. This critical move is part of ongoing efforts to expand the Addo elephants’ range and restore ecological balance in one of South Africa’s most iconic conservation areas.

The translocation, conducted between 12 and 15 May, was meticulously planned and executed by an expert team of conservationists, wildlife veterinarians and logistics specialists. Each stage was carried out with careful attention to animal welfare and ecological integrity.
Home to over 700 elephants, AENP stands as a testament to decades of conservation success. Park Manager, Roland Januarie, says “Addo has a proud record of elephant conservation and maintains a healthy and secure population of one of Africa’s most iconic animal species. Translocation between sections of the park have been successfully carried out over many years based on the need to expand their range and to restore original ancient elephant corridors.  Looking forward, the consolidation of the neighbouring Kabouga and Darlington sections of the park is planned.”

The Kabouga section, about 50km away by road from the Main Camp, offers a restored habitat where elephants can re-establish their ecological roles. Reintroducing elephants to this landscape is central to a broader conservation vision of repairing degraded ecosystems through species-led restoration.

By expanding elephant range and establishing new, sustainable habitats, the translocation stands to contribute to long-term biodiversity health and the reactivation of natural ecosystem functions across the region. The newly relocated elephants will be carefully monitored as they settle into their new environment, marking a hopeful step forward for conservation efforts in the Eastern Cape.

The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, an initiative of Global Humane Society, provided much-needed support that enabled the successful implementation of this project.  “We at Global Humane Society are proud to support this critical restoration project and help ensure these elephants have the space they need to thrive”, said Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of Global Humane Society.  “This effort will reactivate the natural systems that elephants help sustain as each step of this process is managed with precision and care, prioritising the welfare of the elephants and the delicate ecosystem at every stage.”

Elephants are widely recognised as ecosystem engineers – their presence transforms landscapes in ways that benefit a vast array of other species. From opening up thickets and dispersing seeds to creating water access points, their natural behaviours support biodiversity and rejuvenate ecological processes that have been dormant in areas where elephants have long been absent.

About South African National Parks

As a leading conservation authority, SANParks is a public entity under the jurisdiction of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), where inclusive conservation as opposed to previous policies of exclusion is central to advancing the policies in line with the National Development Framework for Sustainable Development and the National Development Plan.  South Africa’s national parks conserve the country’s rich diversity of flora and fauna through a system of 21 national parks, including three world heritage sites and ten marine protected areas (in terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act No. 57 of 2003). This represents approximately 70% of state-owned terrestrial protected areas and 22% of state-managed marine protected areas, comprising over four million hectares (ha) on land and almost 370 000 ha at sea.

About Addo Elephant National Park

Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s third-largest national park.  Not only is it home to the traditional Big Five, but the Big 7, which includes the Southern right whale and Great white shark in its marine environment.  Situated a mere 30 minutes’ drive from the nearest large town and airport in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth), the Park is perfectly situated to show off all its natural wonders with all who wish to visit – from the small flightless dung beetles to the hundreds of grey mammoths, the Park was formed to protect in 1931 and so much more in between.

About Global Humane Society

Global Humane Society is the international brand of American Humane Society, which is the United States’ first national humane organization and the world’s largest certifier of animal welfare, helping to verify the humane treatment of more than one billion animals across the globe each year. American Humane Society has been at the forefront of virtually every major advancement in the humane movement to rescue, care for and protect animals. For more information or to support our life-changing work, please visit www.AmericanHumane.org, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.