Cynthia MossNovember 26, 2010 at 4:16am
Subject: Poachers Killed
Two poachers were shot dead yesterday just south of Amboseli National Park by a Kenya Wildlife Service anti-poaching team. A high-caliber rifle was recovered. A third man was injured but escaped along with one or two others. They are being tracked by both Kenyan and Tanzanian authorities.
It is very disturbing that people are dying in this battle to protect elephants, and we wish that it hadn't come to this, but people with weapons roaming around near a National Park full of tourists is a major security issue as well as a conservation issue.
KWS needed to send a very strong message that this kind of insecurity cannot be tolerated. We commend the brave rangers who risked their lives.
The poachers were found in the area where two bulls were poached earlier this month. For now there will be some peace for the elephants in that part of the ecosystem, but that is only one battle won. The war against poaching continues; elephants are being killed to the east and northwest of the Park. As long as the demand is out there and the ivory trade is lucrative, elephants will be killed for their tusks. We need to fight on all fronts.
