A villager was at the weekend arrested after he was found with 30 kilos of elephant tusks valued at Sh3 million in Keiyo, Elgeyo Marakwet County. A police officer and a civilian were Sunday arrested while trafficking elephant tusks valued at Sh2.9 million in Naivasha, Nakuru County. 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 in elephant tusks, especially from Africa. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and stakeholders have put in place mechanisms to eradicate all forms of wildlife crime, particularly poaching. On April 30, 2016, Kenya set ablaze 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.35 tonnes of rhino horn.

Source: The Star July 02, 2024 17:41 UTC