By LONAH KIBET and RENSON MNYAMWEZI
The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) team is investigating the recent killing of a white rhino in the Nairobi National Park by poachers.
A statement from the KWS office showed that the rhino was killed last Friday and its horns chopped off.
The carcass, reported to have had gunshot wounds, was discovered by KWS rangers while on patrol. It is the first such poaching incident in the park in the last six years.
This brings the number of rhinos killed across the country to 35 since January, making it higher than last year’s record of 29.
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Meanwhile, a KWS ranger was shot and injured over the weekend by suspected poachers during a shoot-out in Lake Nakuru National Park.
The injured ranger and his colleagues reportedly encountered two poachers in the park before a gun battle ensued.
He was admitted to a hospital in Nakuru town where he is recuperating. The poachers are believed to have escaped with injuries.
One rifle, six bullets and one spent cartridge were recovered during the incident. The KWS security team is combing the area to arrest the poachers.
And KWS has introduced measures aimed at curbing poaching in the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) in Taita Taveta County.
