Guidelines for the in situ translocation of the African elephant for conservation purposes

African elephants are confronted with habitat loss and degradation and increasing levels of human – elephant conflict. Management authorities in sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly turning to translocation as a means to meet such challenges. This trend has to take into account changing political and welfare considerations for elephants, and managers need to understand the justification for translocation as well as the technical challenges. These guidelines provide informed advice to decision makers in African range state governments, managers on the ground, NGOs, donors and other practitioners wishing to re-introduce or supplement African elephant populations for their long-term conservation.