The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has successfully tagged and relocated a group of elephant bulls from Meru National Park following repeated nighttime raids on nearby farms and the park’s rhino sanctuary.

The operation was triggered by credible reports of the bulls exhibiting remarkably intelligent yet problematic behaviour.

According to KWS, the elephants would spend their days resting inside the park, wait for nightfall, quietly breach the park fence, enter nearby farmlands to feed, and return before dawn as if nothing had happened.

“Would you believe that an elephant could spend the day sleeping, wait for nightfall, quietly break through a park fence, stroll into nearby farms, feast until completely satisfied, and then sneak back into the park before dawn to sleep as if nothing had happened?” a statement from the KWS read in part.

“At first, it sounded almost unbelievable. But the bulls had not only mastered nighttime crop raids, they had also learned how to break into the rhino sanctuary,” KWS said.

In response, the KWS Vet and Capture team took proactive measures by tagging and moving the elephants to a larger, more secure protected area with abundant natural resources and minimal human activity.

KWS said; “This move protects communities, reduces pressure on critical conservation areas, enhances ranger safety, and gives these bulls a chance to reconnect with the wild menu nature intended for them.”

KWS further emphasised that the move forms part of its broader commitment to proactive conservation and promoting peaceful coexistence between people and wildlife.

It also reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding Kenya’s rich biodiversity while ensuring the safety and livelihoods of communities living adjacent to wildlife areas.