According to a statement from the Ministry of the Environment, to which VerAngola had access, the project to transfer the elephants was presented during a hearing between the Secretary of State for Climate Action and Sustainable Development, Nascimento Soares, and the Aspinall association, which took place this Monday.
"The main purpose of the meeting was to present the project to transfer 13 African elephants from the United Kingdom to Angola, more precisely to the Quiçama National Park", says the note.
Thus, Aspinall and INBAC will collaborate in the transfer of the animals from Howletts Wild Animal Park (United Kingdom) to Angola.
"For this project, Aspinall will collaborate with the National Institute of Biodiversity and Conservation Areas (INBAC) in the translocation of 13 elephants from Howletts Wild Animal Park, in the United Kingdom, to the Quiçama Park", says the note.
According to the statement, "all the transport logistics will be handled by the Aspinall Foundation, which will also provide support in monitoring the elephants after their arrival, providing equipment and veterinary assistance".
The ministry also reported that the habitat was assessed and confirmed as "ideal for receiving the animals".
In addition, the foundation also wants to "support the Angolan Government with resources for ecological and environmental studies, and for training Angolan technicians, with the aim of obtaining important scientific data".
The meeting, which was also attended by the deputy director of the National Institute of Biodiversity, Marta Zumbo, also discussed the "possibility of reintroducing other species, such as lions in the Bicuar Park and great apes in the Maiombe Park".
"The Secretary of State highlighted that the project is in line with the country's sustainable development policies and that it serves as an example to strengthen ecotourism in Angola", and recommended that INBAC and Aspinall "work together to implement the initiative in other national parks".
It is worth noting that Aspinall is "a UK-based organisation that supports the conservation of endangered species", having already collaborated with "several governments and communities in the reintroduction of animals such as gorillas, rhinos, primates and, more recently, cheetahs, into the wild".
