Elephant poachers killed in Kenya
2010-11-01 14:19



Nairobi - Kenyan game rangers have shot dead three poachers suspected of killing five elephants in two separate incidents over the past week, wildlife authorities said on Monday.

"Three suspected poachers have been killed, four firearms recovered and five elephants killed in two separate incidents in Isiolo and Tsavo in the last one week," the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement.

One poacher was killed overnight in what KWS described as a "fierce exchange of fire" on the edge of Meru National Park in central Kenya.

The statement said a vast operation was under way to track down other suspects who may have been injured in the battle.

"The suspects had shot dead an elephant... and were in the process of hacking off the tusks using axes when the KWS rangers ambushed them," the statement said.

Two other poachers among a group responsible for the deaths of four other elephants in the Tsavo region were killed during a shoot-out on Tuesday.

One suspect was arrested and three others escaped.

More than 200 elephants died as a result of poaching last year in Kenya and tons of ivory have already been seized this year. Most of the tusks are smuggled towards Asia, where the ivory is used in medicines and ornaments.


- AFP

Once again, Kenya's no hunting policy makes zero sense.

If the "more than 200" Ele that were poached for their ivory last year had instead been issued valid hunting licenses at an average price of $30,000, then Kenya would have realized a gross input of $6,000,000. Add in daily rates, other species taken, the employment of local populace by the hunting operators, etc. and you have a substantial piece of change.

Guess Kenya doesn't need the money. How many photo safaris does it take to equal the money generated by legally hunting 200 Ele?

I think to see what the boost to their economy would be, and get interest, they should start with maybe 10-15k license fees.

Red

Its good to see they are using the shoot to kill policy on Ivory poachers. To bad they will never keep up with the poachers. Just to darn many.

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Once again, Kenya's no hunting policy makes zero sense.

If the "more than 200" Ele that were poached for their ivory last year had instead been issued valid hunting licenses at an average price of $30,000, then Kenya would have realized a gross input of $6,000,000. Add in daily rates, other species taken, the employment of local populace by the hunting operators, etc. and you have a substantial piece of change.

Guess Kenya doesn't need the money. How many photo safaris does it take to equal the money generated by legally hunting 200 Ele?

This is like saying " If my grandma had balls, she would be my grandpa"

Far more elephants than 200 were killed by poachers in Tz in the last 6 months and Tz allows hunting!