Poaching of African Elephants and Black Rhino in Kenya

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African elephants are poached for ivory which is used to make ornaments and jewellery. In Africa about 30,000 to 50,000 elephants a year were killed from 2008 to 2013 alone, according to the Born Free Foundation. Kenya is known to have lost 137 elephants and 24 rhinoceros to poachers in 2014. The total elephant population within Kenya is estimated at roughly 38,000 according to the Kenya Wildlife Service, (KWS) annual report of 2012. In 1989 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed African elephants under Appendix I, which restricts international trade of their parts. However demand for ivory has continued to stimulate illegal trafficking and poaching of elephants.

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Tusks from more than 6,000 illegally killed elephants was burned in Kenya on Saturday, 30th April 2016 , the biggest ever destruction of an ivory stockpile and the most striking symbol yet of the plight of one of nature’s last great beasts. The ceremonial burning in Nairobi national park was officiated by Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta. About 105 tonnes of elephant ivory and 1.5 tonnes of rhino horn (from about 450 rhinos) was burned. On the bonfire were tusks, ivory sculptures and rhino horn confiscated by the Kenyan authorities and said to be worth up to $105m (£82m) on the black market.

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Speaking to a large audience before opening the ceremony, President Kenyatta said: “Kenya is making a statement that for us ivory is worthless unless it is on our elephants. This will send an absolutely clear message that the trade in ivory must come to an end and our elephants must be protected. I trust that the world will join us to end the horrible suffering of our herds and save our elephants for future generations.” Kenya first burned ivory in 1989, under President Daniel Arap Moi, as a symbol of its determination to protect its remaining elephant population, which had fallen 90% in the previous 15 years, from 168,000 to 15,000 elephants

During the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) CITES (CoP17) that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from 24 September to 5 October 2016 at the Sandton Convention Cente, Kenya sought a “total ban on the trade in elephant ivory”.  “The future of the African elephant and rhino is far from secure so long as demand for their products continues to exist,” President Kenyatta said during the meeting.

Endangered Species Protection

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Mt. Kenya is home to a remarkable array of plant and animal species, including the endangered African elephant. Black rhinos are critically endangered and they have been completely poached in Mt. Kenya and are now only found in the neighbouring lowland sanctuaries where they are given intensive protection. Unfortunately, even at the sanctuaries, rhino poaching is still common. In 1970, 20,000 black rhinos roamed Kenya. Today, as a result of extensive poaching, there are only about 540 left.

Unfortunately, many of our species have not fared well over the past few decades suffering from things such as habitat loss and the spread of invasive species.

 

Our Approach to Endangered Species Protection Includes:

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• Defending, promoting and strengthening the wildlife conservation and management Act and other legal provisions which provide an essential legal safety net to prevent the loss of flora and fauna

•  Advocating for enactment of Endangered Species Act. Kenya’s rich natural heritage is of “aesthetic, ecological, educational, recreational, and scientific value. Many of Kenya’s native plants and animals are in danger of becoming extinct. The purpose of the Endangered Species Act is to protect and recover endangered species (plants and animals) and the ecosystems upon which they depend.

• Holding relevant agencies and others accountable for complying with laws protecting rare and endangered species using cooperation, persuasion, and--where necessary--litigation.

• Advocating for community and stakeholders’ participation in conservation. This include creating incentives and mechanisms that promote community and stakeholders’ involvement in conservation of species and the environment in which they live.  

• Advocating for funding/ increased funding for Non-Governmental Organizations’ (NGOs) incentives and other conservation programs that benefit endangered species.

• Protecting and restoring the habitats on which endangered species and other wildlife depend for their survival, and encouraging wildlife-friendly land management practices.

• Reducing threats to wildlife that can lead to their endangerment and extinction, such as loss of habitat, wildlife trafficking, and spread of invasive species.

• Providing Anti-poaching and Conservation Equipment, this entails sourcing for essential anti-poaching and conservation equipment to field ranger force and research scientists. Such equipment may include GPS, night vision equipment, camping gear, maps, bush wear, trap cameras, digital cameras and many more.

• Capacity Building for personnel involved in conservation and protection of the endangered species by providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills and technological transfer.

• Conservation Education is an important ingredient in ensuring survival of species. Through conservation education, his program will target the youth, students, the local people and the general public in a bid to win their support in conservation.

• Habitat and species monitoring. This entails biodiversity inventory and monitoring- monitoring species and habitat change over time to enable scientific decision making on the best course of action. Loss of habitat has contributed greatly in loss of species. Habitat monitoring is an important tool for assessing the threat and conservation status of species. Species monitoring include tracking them on a regular basis using telemetry equipment, camera traps or by traditional tracking techniques. Periodic census of the species will and additional monitoring strategy.  

• Engaging Wildlife Volunteers in conservation activities and advocacy.