De Beers Group with Peace Parks Foundation translocates elephants

De Beers Group with Peace Parks Foundation translocates elephants

July 24, 2018: Diamond mining company, De Beers Group, has begun to transport 200 elephants across 1,500km from its Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve (VLNR) in South Africa to Mozambique. The operation, one of the largest elephant translocations ever recorded in South Africa, is part of a conservation initiative to protect wildlife in South Africa and help restore Mozambique’s elephant population.

For the first phase of the project, approximately 60 elephants will be transported in July and August from VLNR to Zinave National Park in central Mozambique. The remaining elephants will be moved to conservation areas that hold sufficient elephant carrying capacity within Mozambique from next year. 

The main reason of relocation is that VLNR has the capacity of 60 elephants without adversely damaging the eco-system and there are currently 270 elephants in the reserve.

Peace Parks Foundation, a leading not-for-profit organization will assist De Beers Group with the translocation, and co-manage Zinave National Park, ensuring the elephants’ social groups aren’t disturbed, and that they flourish in their new habitat through ongoing monitoring of their wellbeing and enhanced protection efforts. As part of its investment in the elephant translocation initiative, De Beers Group is also providing Peace Parks Foundation with US$500,000 over five years towards anti-poaching support, which will include the hiring and training of new park rangers, and the opening of new access roads to increase patrol coverage. 

Bruce Cleaver, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “There is no greater symbol of Africa than the majestic elephant. For us to be able to help secure their future in Mozambique, while also ensuring other species at our Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve can flourish, is something every employee of De Beers Group is proud of."