Contents

Authors

Acknowledgements vii

Definitions ix

1. Introduction 1

1.1 Context of these guidelines 1

1.2 Objectives of these guidelines 1

1.3 Important assumptions in applying these guidelines 2

1.4 Determining when African elephant re-introduction and translocation is NOT an Option 2

1.5 When plans for or implementation of African elephant translocation should be discontinued 5

2. Background 6

2.1 Introduction to the use of IUCN Re-introduction Guidelines 6

2.2 A brief history of African elephant translocation 6

2.2.1 Southern Africa 6

2.2.2 East Africa 8

A. PRE-TRANSLOCATION STAGE: PRIMARY CONSIDERATIONS 9

1. Who should apply these guidelines and how is this best achieved? 9

2. Defining the overall objectives of the proposed translocation 9

3. Budgeting 10

3.1 General issues to consider for successful budgeting 10

3.2 Specific issues to consider when budgeting for elephant translocations 10

4. Logistical coordination and planning 11

4.1 Coordination Committee 11

4.2 Planning the timing of elephant translocations 14

4.3 Planning for procurement and logistics 14

5. Staffing and expertise 15

5.1 Staff requirements 15

5.2 Building local capacity for elephant translocation 16

6. Pre-capture monitoring 16

6.1 Identification of target groups and individuals 17

6.2 Specific parameters 17

7. Habitat considerations 18

7.1 Source site considerations 19

7.2 Release site considerations 19

8. Environmental and ecological impact 20

8.1 Source site considerations 20

8.2 Release site considerations 20

9. Demographic and population considerations 21

9.1 Source site considerations 21

9.2 Release site considerations 22

10. Genetic considerations 22

10.1 Genetic mixing 22

10.2 Long-term genetic viability 23

11. Social considerations 24

11.1 Source site considerations 24

11.2 Release site considerations 24

12. Behavioural considerations 25

12.1 Source site considerations 25

12.2 Release site considerations 25

13. Veterinary considerations 26

13.1 Common issues 26

13.1.1 Disease database 26

13.1.2 Diseases of concern 27

13.2 Source population 28

13.2.1 Health and welfare 28

13.2.2 Statutory veterinary requirements for animal transportation 28

14. Socio-political considerations 28

14.1 Issues common to both the source and the release sites 29

14.1.1 Local level 29

14.1.2 National level 29

14.1.3 International level 30

14.2 Source site considerations 30

14.3 Release site considerations 30

15. Security considerations 31

15.1 Release site considerations 31

16. Legal considerations 33

16.1 National level 33

16.2 International level 33

16.3 Other considerations 34

B. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TRANSLOCATION 35

1. Capture, transport and release 35

1.1 Capture-specific considerations 35

1.1.1 Logistical and operational considerations during capture 35

1.1.2 Veterinary considerations during capture 35

1.2 Transport-specific considerations 37

1.2.1 Transport crates 37

1.2.2 Logistical and operational considerations during road transport 37

1.2.3 Veterinary considerations during road transport 37

1.2.4 Logistical and operational considerations during air transport 38

1.2.5 Veterinary considerations during air transport 38

1.3 Release-specific considerations 39

1.3.1 General issues 39

1.3.2 Boma-release 39

1.3.3 Release without a holding boma 39

1.3.4 Veterinary considerations 40

C. POST-RELEASE MONITORING 41

1. General considerations for the post-release period 41

2. Veterinary considerations for the post-release period 42

D. LESSONS LEARNED 43

1. Lessons learned from past translocations 43

1.1 Behavioural patterns of translocated elephants 43

1.2 Costs of elephant translocation 44

1.3 Initial stocking densities 44

2. Sharing lessons learned 45

E. CHECKLIST FOR AFRICAN ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION 46

References 47

ANNEX I. Members of the IUCN/SSC African Elephant and Re-introduction Specialist Groups' Re-introduction Task Force 52

ANNEX II. Key contacts 53