Kenyan elephant relocation

Reuters 2011-09-23

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They put the 'big' into the Big Five.
Elephants are a tourist attraction in Kenya but they leave a path of destruction in their wake.
Human-wildlife conflict is a major problem here and many live in fear of their mighty neighbours.
(SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) LOCAL RESIDENT, NASALE SHOLOI, SAYING:
"We have had a lot of problems because of these elephants, our cattle can't graze peacefully, our children can't go to school, we cannot even go to the river to get water or outside for firewood. Sometimes we just sit at home and let the elephants rule over us. The elephants have even killed people, every month people are killed by the elephants."
Kenya Wildlife Services are moving 200 elephants to the Masai Mara.
The move costs hundreds of thousands of dollars but farming is a high priority in Narok.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICES DIRECTOR, DR. JULIUS KIPNG'ETICH, SAYING:
"This is an area also which has very high human wildlife conflict, in fact we classify it as one of the top human-wildlife hotspots in the country. As you are aware agricultural activity in this area has significantly gone up since the early 90's. Narok today is the number one wheat farming area in the country."
It is hoped this move will reduce tension and let the locals farm in peace.
Lily Grimes, Reuters

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