The evacuation of 83 elephants targeted for persecution by Malawian villagers was successful during the weekend, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said on Monday.

Christina Pretorius, head of Programmes for IFAW Southern Africa, said the elephants were being targeted by locals who were trying to protect their crops and livelihoods from the animals.

Of those relocated, seven of the elephants had trunk amputations caused by snares, one had a deformed foot from a gin trap injury, another was blind in one eye from a gunshot wound, and a number of others bore scars from bullet wounds and snares.

The safe removal of the herd was seen as a victory.

"This is a victory for both elephants and people — they have been engaged in a battle that has seen elephants cruelly wounded and killed, and many local people killed as well," said Jason Bell-Leask, the Southern Africa director for IFAW.

"Moving the elephants was, without argument, the only solution to a terrible situation for both the elephants and the community."

The translocation of the elephant herd from the Mangochi district, south of Lake Malawi, to the Majete Wildlife Reserve began on June 8 and concluded on July 4.

"The relocation of these elephants is a real victory for animal welfare, and proof that it's not necessary to solve issues of human-wildlife conflict down the barrel of a gun," said Bell-Leask.

The relocation of the herd was initially suspended for a short period when a Malawian businessman brought an interim injunction to prevent the elephants from being moved.

The High Court of Malawi rejected the challenge and the move went ahead.

Sapa

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