Kenya: White Rhino Poacher Held

Police in Narok are holding a suspect in connection with killing of a white Rhino in Maasai Mara Game Reserve on Monday evening.

The suspect is believed to be among poachers from Tanzania who have been killing wild animals in the park.

According to the Narok Police Boss Peterson Maelo, the white rhino was shot dead at Olchoro-Oroiwua Conservancy and its tusks stolen.

Maelo said they have launched a man hunt for the suspected poachers with the help of police, KWS and Narok county council rangers.

KWS and police helicopters are hovering over the park while others are using sniffer dogs to track down the poachers, said Maelo.

He suspected that the poachers may have accessed the guarded conservancy by climbing over its perimeter fence. Narok KWS senior warden John Naisho said in the last three months three suspected poachers have been arrested and charged in court. "We are not going to leave anything to chance until the poachers are arrested. KWS is going to increase its presence and patrols in Mara to deter further poaching," said Naisho.

On his side, Narok county council Maasai Mara senior warden James Sindiyo said that poaching activities are on the rise especially along the Kenya-Tanzania border. "The increase of poaching activities can be blamed on the increase demand of ivory and other wild animals products in Asia and the partial lifting of ivory trade in some countries in Africa," he said.

Sammy Nkoitoi, the chairman of the Siana Wildlife Trust, said urgent measures need to be taken others this vice will completely kill Tourism which the country earn about Sh100 billion annually. "It is now a serious threat to the survival of wildlife. If not checked, it will kill the multi-billion tourism industry," he added. "The Government should allocate some of the revenue to assist communities in policing and monitoring wild animals movements if it wants poaching to end," he said.