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afrol.com, 5 September - This week South Africa will give approximately 30 elephants to Angola. This relocation is the first phase of a larger resettlement programme (named Operation Noah's' Ark) of several wildlife species over the next five years to Quicama Park. The park of 1.2 million hectare is almost devoid of wildlife. The Kissama Foundation, mandated by the Angolan government to rehabilitate the country's national parks, will take delivery of the animals at the end of the week. Two family groups will be captured in the Madikwe Game Reserve and relocated in the Quicama National Park near Luanda in Angola. In the 25 years of civil strife, there has never been any fighting in the area. This donation should be seen in the South African context whereby we have pledged to support the development of the whole of Southern Africa. In this instance, support for Angola, a country at a turning point in the revitalisation of its economy after the civil war. Angola wants to rejuvenate its economy through among other things - conservation based tourism. The elephants, to be captured on the 8th and 10th of September, will be taken directly to Quicama on two cargo flights from Mafikeng International Airport in the North West Province. They will be transported in specially designed containers that will secure the adults - but allow the young to move freely inside these containers. It will be the first time that family groups will be transported by air. The capture team is made up of highly qualified and experienced South African capture and translocation specialists. It is headed by a private veterinarian and wildlife specialist, Dr. Kobus du Toit. Researchers from the University of Pretoria's Centre for Wildlife Management participated in formalising a viable ecological management plan for Quicama. A five year development plan for the Park has now been finalised. The elephants will be released into an area of 20 000 hectare in Quicama, secured by an electric fence and trained game guards. The animals will be monitored 24 hours a day by a research team consisting of biologists and radio tracking specialists. R 2 million is earmarked for security. The entire project is sponsored by Angolan and South African private capital.
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