NGOs, residents asked to help fight poachers

Kenya: The Government has called for a joint participation between non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and communities living near national parks in the war against poaching.

Environment Cabinet Secretary Judy Wakhungu said owing to their proximity to the parks, communities were better placed to spot poachers getting into the parks. The CS said at least four elephants and two rhinos were recently poached in Tsavo and Ol Jogi conservancies respectively.

Speaking during the 15th commemoration of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Nairobi at the weekend, the CS challenged NGOs to offer solutions to the poaching crisis facing the country.

“You don’t only need to condemn poaching but offer solutions as well,” the CS said.

She urged the communities to report any case of poaching to Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) or the nearest police station.

COLLUDE WITH POACHERS

The CS also applauded the work of IFAW for their efforts in securing a 16,000-acre Kitenden animal migration corridor in Amboseli.

“We are prioritising winning of space for wildlife as our number one conservation agenda and welcome such gestures,” said the CS who also received night vision equipment worth Sh2.8 million donated by the organisation, which will be used by KWS rangers.

Wakhungu also blamed the current drought spell for the increased cases of human-wildlife conflict.

KWS Director William Kiprono regretted that intelligence reports have cited inside job in poaching. He said his office was worried over some conservationists getting first-hand information of poached animals even before their men on the ground.

KWS has in the past accused some unnamed NGOs and conservationists for colluding with poachers and their rangers to kill elephants and rhinos. “We have seen some rhinos killed in some ranches and intelligence reports have pointed to inside job,” said Mr Kiprono on phone.

But Salisha Chandra from Kenyans United Against Poaching challenged the Government to name the suspected conservationist alleged to be working with poachers.

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