Conservationists: Seven elephants killed in Tsavo last week

Seven elephants were killed in Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA) last week, a body count by wildlife conservationists shows while another 15 have died at the hands of poachers, and in accidents this year.

TCA says that 14 were slaughtered by poachers and one killed by a speeding truck in Ndii along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

The Director of anti-poaching agency Elephant Neighbours Centre, Jim Nyamu, disclosed Sunday that seven elephants had been slaughtered by poachers in the past one week alone.

"Everything possible should be done to eradicate the poaching. If nothing is done to protect elephants there would be no wildlife." he told Environment Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu Sunday in Voi town.

Rampant poaching

"We are losing wildlife due to rampant poaching and encroachment on its habitat. Communities are killing wildlife with a belief that they are not benefiting from the wildlife resource. If the Government is not careful, all the elephants will be wiped out," he said.

Speaking during the celebrations to mark 37 days of walking from Emali-Taveta-Voi, Mr Nyamu said the country is losing elephants as a result of poaching but a Kenya Wildlife Services official declined to comment on the latest killings.

The aim of the walk was to create awareness on elephants, rhinos and other small wildlife species that are in danger due to poaching.

"We need to end killing of elephants. The Government needs to bring wildlife stakeholders and the neighbouring communities together to effectively participate in wildlife conservation efforts to end the poaching menace," said Mr Nyamu.

The campaigns targeted primary school children and Chinese workers constructing the Standard Gauge Railway project on the need to support wildlife conservation efforts.

TCA Senior Warden in-charge of community Dickson Too and Voi Deputy County Commissioner Khamasi Shivogo said Tsavo holds the largest elephant population and efforts should be made to protect the fragile ecosystem.