The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), through pressure from the Trump White House, has suspended key grants that support anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection, a move that could have devastating consequences for elephant populations worldwide.

These approaches to elephant management—culling in Africa and unmanaged release in Asia—are not solutions. They are avoidable tragedies. There is a better path forward: relocation. By moving elephants to areas where they are needed most, we can protect these animals, restore ecosystems, and create a compassionate conservation model.

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is a pressing issue that threatens the survival of elephants and disrupts the livelihoods of communities living near them. It is a complex problem with no easy solutions, but it is one that we must address if we want to ensure the future of these magnificent animals.