KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE HUNTS FOR ELEPHANT KILLERS
(Posted 30th July 2015)
The slaughter of a female adult and four sub-adult elephants in Tsavo West National Park two days ago triggered an immediate manhunt of a combined KWS and general security services force, resulting in two instant arrests.
Paul Udoto, KWS’s Corporate Communications Director, passed the information, pointing out that the manhunt has been extended across the border into Tanzania with the assistance of Tanzanian wildlife and police officials. While a bloodstained hacksaw and axes were recovered from the two suspects now in custody were no tusks recovered and indications are that several other poachers escaped across the border on motorcycles, carrying the tusks with them.
Tsavo and the adjoining cattle ranches were in the past the scene of major elephant massacres but surveillance and patrols have been significantly stepped up since Dr. Richard Leakey has taken over as Chairman of the Board of the KWS Trustees.
At present is the selection process for a new Director General in its final phase after a number of individuals have made it on to the shortlist and an announcement is expected in due course by the Board. For more information about the Kenya Wildlife Service click on www.kws.go.ke
