Mass elephant relocation could save populations in parts of Africa

Experts in Malawi will move 500 elephants 185 miles across the country to a sanctuary that will act as a 'reservoir'

Wildlife experts in Malawi will next month start moving up to 500 elephants to a sanctuary that they hope could eventually serve as a reservoir to restore some elephant populations in other parts of Africa where the threatened species has been heavily poached.

The massive relocation, slated for completion next year, will involve darting the elephants from a helicopter, hoisting the slumbering animals by crane and loading them in crates on to trucks for a ride of about 185 miles (300km) to Malawi's Nkhotakota wildlife reserve.