The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), supported by hundreds of residents, has begun a major elephant translocation exercise to move more than 10 bull elephants from conflict-prone areas around Salama Village in Laikipia West Constituency to a protected KWS-managed park.

In a statement by the service on Saturday, May 23, 2026, KWS said the initiative aims to reduce pressure on community farmlands while strengthening genetic diversity in their new habitat.

“They called, we responded, and hundreds joined us, not as spectators, but as part of the team alongside our Veterinary and Capture Unit. KWS is currently undertaking the translocation of more than 10 bull elephants from conflict-prone areas around Salama Village, Laikipia West Constituency, to a KWS-managed park,” KWS said.

KWS described the move as a proactive step to protect both community livelihoods and the elephants before conflicts escalate.

“Attracted by cultivated crops, these intelligent animals recently raided farms, becoming habitual visitors. But rather than wait for tragedy or escalation, the Kenya Wildlife Service took a proactive approach, one focused not only on protecting livelihoods, but also protecting the elephants before conflict could deepen,” KWS said.

Reducing pressure on farmland

The translocation is expected to reduce pressure on local farmlands while enhancing genetic diversity in the elephants’ new habitat. KWS emphasised that the people of Salama have historically coexisted with wildlife, but recent crop-raiding by habituated elephants prompted the intervention.

This latest effort underscores ongoing challenges in Laikipia, a region known for both rich biodiversity and persistent tensions between farmers and elephants.

Worth noting, similar translocations have been carried out in the past to manage conflict while preserving Kenya’s iconic wildlife.

“This is the spirit KWS continues to champion across the country: working with communities, for communities, and alongside communities in securing a future where people and wildlife thrive together as stipulated in the KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028,” KWS said.

“And just as the residents of Salama stood with us during day one of this exercise by embracing our work as a shared responsibility, your support can help empower the KWS Veterinary and Capture Teams to continue protecting wildlife, protect communities, and secure a thriving future for both people and wildlife,” KWS added.