Poachers have killed at least 137 elephants and 24 rhinos in the
last seven months amid global concerns over trade in game trophies.
Conservationists have expressed fears that Kenya’s elephants could be wiped out by poaching in 10 years, unless urgent measures are taken to end the crisis.
Kenya Wildlife Service director William Kiprono said half of the endangered species were killed in the Tsavo conservancy area where poachers masquerade as herders from adjacent ranches.
Latest killing
The latest killing was on Saturday after a male elephant was speared to death in the Lemek hills in Narok West.
According to information from environment protection group Mara Elephant Project posted on its website, the elephant died a few kilometres from where it was speared with the poachers hacking off its tusks and making off with them.
“Poaching incidents are still too high. Since January we have lost 137 elephants and 24 rhinos,” said Mr Kiprono, blaming lenient penalties for increased poaching.
By the Daily Nation-August 12, 2013
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