These situations can be a powderkeg for human-wildlife conflict, especially with such a large congregation. We had to help them find their way home before it escalated.

Working in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service on the ground, our helicopters flew in tandem to shepherd 31 elephants past farms and homesteads, safely delivering them back into the park.

We guided the elephants in two groups. These operations require patience and persistence, providing direction without adding undue stress. Once the bulls reached the opening in the park fence, the helicopters hung back and hovered for a few minutes.

No one wanted to be the first to test the exit — this is always the case with wayward bulls — but peer pressure won out, those in front were jostled through by those in the back, and everyone safely made their way into protected land.

We’re at the tail end of the dry season, and it’s been a busy one in terms of human-wildlife conflict mitigation operations. These operations take many forms — they can take hours or days, multiple aircraft, ground teams, and sometimes even a full darting and translocation on trucks. But the effort is worth it, supporting coexistence and protecting both human and wild lives.