Kenya: KWS Impounds Eight Jumbo Tusks in Meru

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By Kings Waweru, The Star

Date Published
 
Kenya Wildlife Service rangers have impounded eight elephant tusks in Marania village, Meru county.
 
They arrested a suspected poacher with the tusks on Tuesday evening.
 
The suspect and the ivory were taken to KWS headquarters in Nanyuki town.
 
Laikipia KWS senior warden Richard Chepkwony said the suspect was transporting the ivory in two bags which had potatoes and maize to conceal the contraband.
 
Chepkwony said police acted on a tip-off and laid an ambush for the suspect.
 
The officers also confiscated an axe, a spear and a panga from the suspect, which are believed to have been used in killing the four elephants, he said.
 
The senior warden said that last week KWS rangers arrested five suspects in Dol Dol, Laikipia North.
 
He said an AK 47 gun was recovered from the five.
 
“We urge the members of the public to continue volunteering information that will lead to crashing of all gangs in the region that have been targeting rhinos and elephants in private conservancies and community conservancies,” Chepkwony said.
 
In a speech during celebrations of the World Rhino Day in Nanyuki town on Monday, KWS director William Kiprono linked proceeds of sale of ivory to terrorism.
 
The speech was read on his behalf by KWS deputy director Patrick Omondi.
 
Kiprono said KWS has taken the war on poaching a notch higher through incorporating community rangers and all security personnel.
 
KWS, national and county governments, private and community sanctuaries have been working together to minimise threats posed to Kenya’s rhino population, he said.
 
Kiprono said KWS is committed to combat these vices by modernising the security operations and systems and troops deployment.
 
He said the approach will ensure troops and field operators use modern equipment and embrace the latest and appropriate technology in their operations.