A herd of elephants is set to be moved from a UK zoo to the wilds of Kenya, marking a groundbreaking first in conservation efforts.

A full herd of elephants from a British zoo will soon be released into Kenya's wilderness, an extraordinary milestone that conservationists are calling a historic achievement.

The 13 elephants, currently residing at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, southern England, will embark on a journey of over 7,000 kilometers (4,350 miles) to Kenya, as announced by the Aspinall Foundation, a wildlife charity, on Tuesday.

Twelve of the elephants were born and raised in Kent, while one was born in Israel. None of these elephants have experienced life in the wild before.

The herd, weighing a total of 25 tons and including three calves, will become the first-ever group of elephants to be reintroduced into the wild, according to the organizers.

Rewilding focuses on restoring ecosystems to their natural balance, often through the reintroduction of native species.

The charity expressed its hope that the initiative will help curb the global trade in elephants and promote the return of animals to the wild, asserting that no elephant should be held in captivity.

The Aspinall Foundation is partnering with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenya Wildlife Service to carry out the project, with two potential release sites in southern Kenya currently under review.

“This project is incredibly exciting and truly a world-first,” said Damian Aspinall, chairman of the Aspinall Foundation, in the press statement.

“Like any large-scale conservation initiative, there are significant risks involved, but we believe they are well worth taking in order to return these magnificent elephants to their natural habitat where they truly belong.”

Although rewilding elephants is a pioneering effort, the foundation noted that other species have been successfully reintroduced. For instance, last year, they sent two cheetahs back to the wild in South Africa.

“Since the 1970s, we have been dedicated to helping elephants, offering a future in the wild to over 260 rescued orphans and managing large-scale protection initiatives to safeguard them, their wild-born calves, and their wild relatives for life,” said Angela Sheldrick, CEO of the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, in the press statement.

“We are excited to provide the same opportunity to these 13 elephants once they set foot on African soil – their true home, where they belong, and where they can live freely and wild, just as nature intended.”

The elephants will be transported in custom-made individual crates, designed specifically for their comfort, with veterinarians on board throughout the journey. According to the Aspinall Foundation website, conservationists are currently raising funds to support the project.