Four elephants have been successfully introduced to Samara Karoo Reserve in the Eastern Cape after a road accident en route from Addo Elephant National Park.

The journey to Samara was disrupted when the truck transporting the elephants overturned on the N10 at Olifantskop Pass on March 5.

Emergency teams including wildlife translocation specialists, veterinarians and the Samara release team were immediately on-site to assess and monitor the elephants. South African National Parks (SANParks) confirmed that all four animals were unharmed in the incident. “The cause of the accident is part of the official investigation. The elephants were safely offloaded during the early hours of this morning. All are well,” said Fayroush Ludick, SANParks Regional Communications Manager.

Sarah Tompkins, Co-Founder of Samara Karoo Reserve, expressed gratitude for the support received during the translocation. “We are incredibly thankful that the elephants are safe and that, after many months of planning, they are now roaming the Samara landscape. The professionalism of the Conservation Solutions translocation team and the swift response from SANParks officials and nearby reserves ensured the elephants’ wellbeing. The camaraderie within the conservation community was evident as neighbouring reserves provided additional equipment, donated water and food and assisted with logistics,” she said.

The elephants will be closely monitored in coming weeks to ensure a smooth adjustment to their new environment. Samara Karoo Reserve, a conservation project established in 1997, aims to restore biodiversity in the Great Karoo through land restoration and species reintroductions.

View a video of the elephants entering Samara Karoo Reserve here: