Elephant poachers in the act shot dead by park rangers in Kenya

Gang members gunned down by officers during
‘fierce shoot-out’ at park on Ugandan border

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Wildlife troopers had been on a routine patrol at Mount Elgon
National Park, which straddles the border of Kenya and Uganda,
“when they encountered a gang of five men last Thursday”, reports
The Independent.

The rangers, from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) exchanged
fire with the poachers, who were reportedly armed with AK-47
rifles.

Equipment associated with poaching was later found at the scene,
the wildlife service said.

“KWS officers were on patrol inside the park when they spotted
the poachers,” Trans Nzoia county police commander Samson ole Kine
told Nairobi-based newspaper The Standard.

“A fierce shoot-out ensued and three of the poachers were gunned
down while two others escaped. AK-47 rifles were recovered.”

Police county commissioner, Erastus Mbui, said authorities had
stepped up security and surveillance operations along the
Kenya-Uganda border to deter poachers.

“More officers have been deployed to conduct regular security
patrols at the park and ensure wildlife is protected from the
poachers,” he said.

“We urge communities around the park to report people they
suspect to be on a poaching mission.”

Poaching has declined sharply in Kenya from a peak in 2012 but
“it remains a problem, with some 69 elephants and nine rhinos
killed last year”, says Metro. Despite a ban on the international trade
in ivory in 1997, African elephants are still being poached in
large numbers.

“Their tusks are the most sought after, with the ivory being
carved into ornaments and jewellery”, adds the paper.

China remains the biggest consumer market for the tusks.