Stories

Through Moving Giants, we are attempting the world’s longest elephant translocation, moving 200 elephants, 1,000 miles in partnership with Peace Parks Foundation.

The elephants are being moved from one of our Diamond Route properties: Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve in South Africa where there are too many, to Mozambique, a country whose wildlife population was decimated following civil war three decades ago.

So far, just over 100 elephants have arrived at their new home at Zinave National Park, with a plan for a further 100 to be moved to Mozambique from 2021.

Having undertaken the first of these ground-breaking translocations, we’re thrilled to share a new and very positive symbol of hope. Up to 20 baby calves have been spotted in Zinave for the first time in many years - a fantastic sign for this project, these elephants and the future of rewilding conservation in Mozambique and beyond.

Trevor Landrey, Peace Parks’ Operations Manager explains, “It is incredibly exciting seeing the first elephant calves in Zinave for a long time. It shows that the elephants are happy and healthy. They have clearly adopted Zinave as their new home, and it is satisfying to know they will be around in the park for our children and grandchildren to see.”

The arrival of the elephants has also had a big impact on the park. “The park and particularly scrub, has been opened up quite dramatically. With numerous ‘elephant highways’ now crossing the sanctuary, thicket-loving species such as nyala, kudu and bushbuck seem to thrive. Diversity in the bush seems higher than before, with bird species not seen in the past few years now making an appearance,” explains Bernard van Lente, Peace Parks’ Project Manager at Zinave.

To help keep the elephants safe in their new home, De Beers Group, through the Anglo American Foundation, are providing US$500,000 over five years, to support anti-poaching measures.

Find out more about Moving Giants here:https://bit.ly/3ih3DhL