Poachers kill another elephant, steal tusks

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI

Taita-Taveta,Kenya:Poachers have killed an elephant and made away with its tusks.

Yesterday, Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) Assistant Director Robert Obrein confirmed the killing of the elephant at Taita Ranch on Sunday saying every effort was being made to protect endangered wildlife species.

The incident brings to nine the number of elephants killed in the recent past.

Mr Obrein said rangers had been dispatched to the affected area to hunt down three suspects believed to be behind the spate of wildlife-related crimes in the region.

“We are conducting a massive ground and air operation to hunt down runway armed bandits. We are calling on members of the public to volunteer information that can lead to the arrest of the poachers,’” he said.

Obrein said rangers on patrol had responded after hearing gunshots in the area only to find a killed elephant with missing tusks.

Speaking to The Standard yesterday, Obrein said poachers were colluding with unscrupulous boda boada operators to perpetrate poaching activities.

“The poachers are now hiring boda boda operators to transport them to the bush to kill wildlife. The operators later carry the bandits and the trophies from the scene of crime to Maungu and Mackinoon townships along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway for transportation to unknown destinations,” noted Obrein.

He said boda boda operators found near the Tsavo Park would be arrested and prosecuted.

“The bandits use boda boda to commit their heinous crimes and later kill them to conceal evidence,” he added.

He further blamed the recent murder of a boda boda operator in Maungu township on the poachers.

“The decreased was warned against ferrying pachers but ignored the advice. His body was later found near Maungu town by the public,” noted Obrein.