Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has successfully relocated a stray male elephant weighing 3,496 kilograms that had been causing fear among residents of Bukatu Village, Mpanga Parish, Kahunge Sub-county in Kamwenge District for more than five months.

The elephant frequently wandered into the village searching for crops such as maize, watermelon, and pumpkins, posing a significant threat to the community. After receiving reports from residents, UWA stepped in to handle the situation.

The complex operation was led by senior veterinary doctor Victor Musiime and involved the authority’s experts. After three sleepless nights of coordinated effort, they managed to capture the elephant and relocated it to Kibale National Park -  Mainaro area in Dura Sub-county, which is far from human settlements.

John Justice Tibesigwa, the Chief Warden of Kibale National Park, stressed that relocation alone is insufficient because elephants are intelligent and can find their way back.

“It’s not just about relocating it because it’s clever and can return. That’s why we fitted it with a tracking collar to monitor its movements and prevent it from coming back to the community,” he explained.

He praised the team for their hard work and dedication and thanked the community leaders and residents for their cooperation throughout the operation.

Selestini Ngabirano, the Bukatu chairman, commended UWA for their intervention, noting that the elephant had caused fear among community members, leading many to avoid going out at night.

While Kibale National Park is well-known as a haven for primates, it also hosts a considerable number of forest elephants, estimated at around 566 in 2019. These forest elephants are smaller than savanna elephants and can be seen during guided walks, especially in the southern part of the park.