Two suspected rhino poachers killed at Lake Nakuru National Park

Nakuru, Kenya: Two armed suspected rhino poachers were shot dead at Lake Nakuru National Park on Friday night by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers.

Assistant Director Central Rift Conservation Area George Nagwana said Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers on patrol trailed the poachers at the park around 10.30pm.

Nagwana said the rangers were forced to shoot dead the poachers who were at the rhino range section after they failed to surrender.

Rangers recovered a riffle with five rounds of ammunition, a knife, an axe, two loaves of bread and two bottles of soda.

"The suspects believed to have been on a poaching mission were ambushed at the rhino range section, rangers on patrol forcefully shot them dead," said Nagwana.

Nakuru County Commissioner Mohamed Birik who went to the park after the incident commended rangers in their fight against poaching citing that, 'Linda Kifaru Initiative' launched last year has been a success in conservation of Rhinos.

"Linda Kifaru Initiative formed last year through collaboration with members of the public, KWS Rangers, Kenya Police and Administration Police to contain the menace of poaching that was on the rise last year," Birik said.

"We commend the good work our rangers are doing and hence measures have been put to boost their morale and welfare. We have specialized equipment's for them to patrol and work effectively," he added.

Last year, the park reported three incidences of poaching and one suspect was shot dead with two guns recovered at the park.

Nagwana said enhancing policy measures have been put in place to curb poaching menace at the park including enhanced KWS rangers, detective machines and aerial surveillance airplane among others.

"The plane stationed at the park provides aerial surveillance to curb poaching incidences mostly targeting endangered rhinos," he said.

He added that KWS officers have also intensified operation to protect rhinos and other endangered species from illegal poachers.

The assistant director further asked locals to report any incidences of wildebeest poachers at the same time help in conservation of the park that is a source of employment and natural heritage that earns the country foreign exchange.

"Locals should help in conserving the park because when tourists visit the country, they spend in hotels around that have employed our youths. Conservation of environment requires combined efforts from both authority and members of the public," he said.