Kenya decries killing of rhinos, elephants
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E-mail Xinhua, December 17, 2012
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Rangers of the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) stand next to the remains of an elephant killed by poachers at the Meru National Park near Isiolo in eastern Kenya. [File photo] |
He said the census conducted on Nov. 25 to 30 found a population of 6,365 elephants. Compared to the 2008 census which found 7,415 elephants, this was a decline of 1,050 elephants, representing a 14 per cent drop in.
Kiprono said the decline had been caused by various factors, and not just illegal killings as was reported. Out of 1,050 elephants lost in the Laikipia-Samburu ecosystem, 458 elephants were illegally killed by poachers.
The rest were lost through natural deaths from the prolonged drought of 2009, human wildlife conflict and control measures.
"We must admit that the threat of poaching is real across the country given that we have lost 458 elephants to poachers in four years in that region alone. As a country, every single elephant we lose is painful because wildlife is a key pillar to our tourism sector and the national economy. This situation is not out of hand; it is manageable," Kiprono said.
To address the problems, he said, KWS was seeking support from all corners including other security agencies, the local communities and non governmental organizations.
He called upon NGOs and activists to exercise restraint and be honest when disseminating information on elephant populations to avoid misleading statements.
Kiprono said KWS looked back at the ending year with pride, listing a number of achievements.
"We have secured more land for conservation, our troops are better equipped, more communities are coming on board, better collaboration in fighting poaching and numbers of endangered species are growing," he said.
However, he added, KWS needed more funding to tackle emerging challenges of poaching and human wildlife conflict.
KWS Board of Trustees chairman, David Mwiraria, said the forensic and genetic laboratory under construction in Nairobi would provide credible evidence to aid the prosecution of wildlife offenders.
Forestry and Wildlife Permanent Secretary Lawrence Mwadime announced that the Ministry had given KWS 35 million U.S. dollars to support anti-poaching operations. He called on private conservancies and community ranches to play their part in protecting wildlife.
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