The pachyderms, which know neither limits nor manners, look for their food wherever they can, sometimes in plantations, wreaking great havoc in the local farmers’ crops and, still worse, affecting market supplies.

With this move the local authorities manage to avoid unpredictable clashes between humans and animals, while simultaneously protecting the food supply and bringing a fresh attraction to the Aberdare National Park (center), the new residence of the evacuees and a jewel of the Kenyan tourism industry, which relies on safaris as an income lifeline for the country.

The growing elephant population in Kenya is translating into the ravaging of the remaining grazing lands by these humongous mammals and into aggravating clashes between them and locals, Kenya’s Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Rebeca Milano, admitted earlier this month, as she advocated the animals’ relocation.

On the bright side, however, such an increase in their number shows the effectiveness of the anti-poachers’ campaigns, following years during which hunters decimated elephants just to get ivory tusks.

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