Five elephants were yesterday night killed in Tsavo West and their tusks removed. This killing brings the number of elephants killed in the area this month to seven. The elephants were killed near Ziwani and Lake Jipe area leaving only a surviving calf.
Kenya Wildlife Service officials have launched a manhunt for the poachers behind the killings arresting two people. Others are said to be on the run and according to the officials; they are believed to have crossed the border to Tanzania.
The killings come at a time when the country is working hard to save the remaining African elephants. Commenting on the killing, WildilifeDirect CEO Dr.Paula Kahumbu said ‘’Despite recent advances in Kenya, we will never be out of the woods so long as poaching is escalating in neighboring countries, and demand and price of ivory is still exploding in China and Hong Kong’’.
WildlifeDirect strongly condemns this and is urging anyone with information to report to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) through 020 2507435 to ensure the culprits are brought to book.
