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The Sussexes

Video and photos released of Prince Harry’s time in Africa working with elephants

Kensington Palace has released a video taken by African Parks narrated by Prince Harry along with a gallery of photos of his time in Africa this summer. Harry spent three weeks in Malawi working alongside veterinarians, experts, and volunteers working on the largest conservation effort of elephants in history.

The prince helped in this translocation project by moving 500 elephants from Majete and Liwonde, where their populations are thriving, to help replenish stocks in NkhotakotaWildlife Reserve, which is now under the control of African Parks.

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Of this work, Prince Harry said: “Human populations in Southern Africa have increased annually by an average of 1.16% from 1960 to today, from 73 million to 320 million.

“There is no question at all that Africa’s wildlife will be increasingly susceptible to growing human populations and their requirements for land,

“Elephants simply can’t roam freely like they used to, without coming into conflict with communities, or being threatened by poaching and persecution. To allow the coexistence of people and animals.” He went on to explain the importance of putting up fences and how they work to keep the elephants safe: “fences are increasingly having to be used to separate the two, and try to keep the peace.

“Once a fence is up, you are now managing a parcel of land. Different rules have to apply whether we like it or not. Under these conditions human intervention in stabilizing nature might be required by park managers

“There has to be a balance between the numbers of animals, and the available habitat. Just how nature intended it. In this case, African Parks, in partnership with the Malawian government, have re-established a safe area for elephants to be moved back to.

“This simultaneously relieves the pressure in Liwonde, and restocks Nkhotakota so both populations of Elephants can continue to grow. If the re-balance doesn’t take place, human-wildlife conflict will increase and elephants will degrade their habitat. We’re then back to having to consider the worst – reducing herds by culling.”

By working on the front lines of the 500 elephants relocation project, Prince Harry was excited to gain firsthand knowledge and experience of this problem. He wanted to have the video and pictures released to draw attention to the scope of this problem facing elephants, the growing population of Africa, the conflict between humankind and wild animals, poaching, and the perils facing the conservation of wildlife.

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