NAIROBI, Kenya
Conservationists have launched a new campaign to save elephants from poachers, as the killing of jumbos for ivory in Kenya reaches crisis levels. WildlifeDirect, headed by Dr Richard Leakey, a renowned conservationist and former Kenya Wildlife Service director, has partnered with key stakeholders in government, NGOs, private sectors and local community leaders to mobilise a joint effort to save elephants.
The “Hand off our Elephants” campaign seeks to create awareness on the crisis and push for more vigilance at exit ports to crack down on corruption and trafficking of ivory. It is also pushing for swift convictions and stiffer penalties. According to Dr Leakey, if the slaughtering of elephants is not tamed urgently, the animals, part of Kenya’s Big Five in wild game, would be extinct by 2023.
Addressing journalists at the Sarova Stanley in Nairobi on Wednesday, July 24, Cabinet secretary for Water, Environment and Natural Resources, Prof Judy Wakhungu, said the government would fully support this initiative. She added that a new wildlife legislation would soon be presented to Parliament for approval. Under the new legislation, anyone found dealing in trophies of ivory on rhino horn will be liable to a fine of not less than one million shillings or imprisonment for a term of at least five years or both, while poachers will be liable to a fine of not less than three million shillings or imprisonment for a term not less than five years.
Vision 2030 Director General Mugo Kibati added tourism was key to the economic pillar the country’s long-term economic development plan and without wildlife there would be no tourism. Kenya Airways CEO Titus Naikuni also supported the move. The “Hands Off Our Elephants” campaign is a plea to the public and all sectors of the economy to protect elephants from poaching.
The situation in Kenya is grave, where poaching has gone out of control. According to the Kenya Wildlife Service, the country lost 384 elephants to poachers in 2012, up from less than 50 just five years ago. There has also been a surge in poaching by local communities using traditional methods including poison arrows, spears and traps. Tanzania, with 70,000 elephants, loses 10,000 elephants per year, and conservationists warn that these poachers will move to Kenya once Tanzania is done.
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