7 die as rangers, poachers clash
19/05/2007 16:23 - (SA)


Nairobi - Three Kenyan rangers and four poachers died during an overnight shootout in the remote southeast, the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) said on Saturday.

It was the latest clash in a decades-old war in the east African nation between wildlife rangers and poachers who kill big game like rhinos and elephants prized for their horns and tusks.

"The Kenya Wildlife Service regrets to announce the death of three rangers who have been gunned down by bandits during an operation in Tana River District," the wildlife authority said of the clash in the early hours of Saturday.

"During the fierce exchange of fire, the rangers killed four poachers while others escaped with injuries," it said, adding that two AK-47 rifles and two axes were seized.

The rangers were part of a seven-member force patrolling the Idsowe area of Tana River district, some 350km southeast of the capital Nairobi, KWS said.

"During the same operation, one ranger corporal was also seriously injured and has been taken to Ngao Hospital in Tarasaa," it said.

Poaching is a perennial problem in the east African country, whose wildlife parks are a major tourist attraction.

Kenya is a focal point in Africa's booming illegal trade in animals and plants. The global trade is worth more than $10bn each year, experts say, making it the world's third biggest source of criminal income after drugs and guns.

KWS said an "intensive hunt" was under way for the poachers who escaped after Saturday's incident.

Poaching in Kenya? Illegal trade in ivory? My God, what's this world coming to? Kenya needs Rangers? Who would do such a thing? Kenya, the world's greatest tourist attraction has poaching problems? The land of ice cream and candy canes? Lions lay with Sheep in Kenya, while the bad, bad Hunters gaze through the looking glass like Wolves, licking their lips.


But now I'm beginning to understand why Kenya wants a 20 year ban on ivory....so the black market price will soar and poaching will run rampant and spread Kenya's disease to other African countries. They won't look so bad. Now I see...I must write CITES quickly and tell them Kenya and Mali are right! We need the ivory ban...not Elephants. We can watch Elephants on the Disney channel and look at Grandpa's pictures in his hunting album. We must save the ivory....so let's screw the Elephant!



Signed,
Elephant Lover

quote:

But now I'm beginning to understand why Kenya wants a 20 year ban on ivory....so the black market price will soar and poaching will run rampant and spread Kenya's disease to other African countries.

And if there is a ban, since no one will be buying ivory, you don't need all those rangers. So you will end up with less enforcement than you have now based on the theory that the trade will halt with a ban.

Sounds like some higher ups in the Kenyan government are right in the thick of the illicit trade, and can't wait for the ban to jack up prices.

if there is a ban, since no one will be buying
Sounds like some higher ups in the Kenyan government are right in the thick of the illicit trade, and can't wait for the ban to jack up prices.[/QUOTE]

No way!
African government officials would not do that to their countrys environment...

Kenya must be the most peacefull and best run country in Africa they are prepared to drop everything in order to save poor little elephant. Or what is left of them since they are highly endagered I hope they can help to relocate ele's to the rest of Africa. So one day I can show my family what elephant looks like I have told them stories about it and shown them good pictures and lucklily National geographic was so lucky ebnough to film some real wild elephant.

Sorry but that is a post to be posted 20 years from now when the ivory ban does come into effect.

Interpol to honor the 3 KWS rangers.
Written By:Mac Kemoli/kna , Posted: Sun, May 20, 2007


Two of the three KWS rangers who were killed by bandits in a dawn attack on Saturday will be buried Sunday.

The bodies of the two were flown to the victims' homes in Garissa and Wajir Sunday morning.

Wajir South MP Abdi Rahman and Kenyan Ambassador to Somali Mohammed Affey were among relatives and friends who turned up at the Wilson Airport to witness the somber event.

The body of the third ranger is still lying at the Chiromo Mortuary with burial arrangements involving KWS officials and the family still on course.

The third ranger hailed from Bunyala in Kakamega.

Speaking to the press KWS Communications Manager Paul Udoto said a fourth victim of the attack who was flown to a Nairobi hospital last evening has been operated on and is responding well to treatment.

The ranger, a corporal had earlier been admitted at Ngao Hospital in Tarasaa.

Saturday, at least seven people died following a fierce gun battle between KWS rangers and armed bandits in Tana River district.

The seven including three game rangers and four bandits were killed during a confrontation at Idsowe village in Garsen division.

During the operation, two AK 47 assault rifles, two axes and several other assorted items were recovered.

Meanwhile the search for some of the bandits who fled after the attack is still on.

A combined security force is still combing the Garsen area where the attack occurred.

And in related news the Interpol officer in charge in Wildlife Bill Clarke says the three KWS rangers who lost their lives in the Idsowe attack will be the first personnel to be honoured by Interpol for dying while protecting wildlife.

The Interpol wildlife-working group has initiated a memorial scheme for honoring such officers.

Does the Govt of Kenya not understand what organized hunting by reputable compinies can do for them. We can protect there resources better than they ever could. Oh yeh, there in on the illegal trade.

quote:

Sounds like some higher ups in the Kenyan government are right in the thick of the illicit trade, and can't wait for the ban to jack up prices.

When haven't they been?