Two arrested, ivory worth Sh10 million recovered in Embu
Cyrus Ombati, The Star
September 23, 2023
See link
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/93237-elephant-ivory-worth-106-million-recovered
for photos.
Officials from the National Police Service and Kenya Wildlife Service
arrested the two suspects in possession of three pieces of elephant tusks
weighing approximately 53 kilograms.
Police said they will be arraigned for the offences of dealing in and/or
possession of wildlife trophy.
Officials said the seizure shows up to ten elephants had been killed and
there is a likelihood the incidents happened in the nearby Meru National
Park.
This is despite stringent measures put in place to address the poaching
menace in the country and across the region.
In July this year, two herders accused of illegally possessing elephant
tusks were given stringent bond terms of Sh1 million each after being
charged in Mombasa.
They were accused of dealing in ivory and allegedly found with Sh2 million
worth of elephant tusks by Kenya Wildlife Service detectives.
Elephant tusks fetch a fortune in the black market as a surge in demand for
ivory in the East continues to fuel the illicit trade especially in Africa.
Officials say despite a ban on the international trade in ivory, African
elephants are still being poached in large numbers.
As part of efforts to stop the menace, Kenya has started using high-tech
surveillance equipment, including drones, to track poachers and keep tabs
on elephants and rhinos.
KWS and stakeholders have put in place mechanisms to eradicate all forms of
wildlife crime, particularly poaching.
These mechanisms include enhanced community education, interagency
collaboration, and intensive intelligence-led operations, among others.
https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2023-09-23-two-arrested-ivory-worth-sh10-million-recovered-in-embu/
https://www.kenyans.co.ke/news/93237-elephant-ivory-worth-106-million-recovered