" March 18, 2014 - A suspected poacher was this morning (Monday March 18, 2014) at 1.45 am
shot dead in Lake Nakuru National Park while two of his accomplices
escaped. The body was taken to the mortuary in Nakuru and
assorted weapons, including a bow, four poisoned arrows, spear and food,
taken by police.
Kenya Wildlife Service acting Director General Mr William Kiprono flew to the scene of crime in Lake Nakuru National Park where he addressed journalists and KWS staff. He was accompanied by Mr Francis Kirathe, County AP Commander, Mr Mohammed Birik the County Commissioner and Mr Mbogo County CID boss.
Mr
Kiprono noted that Lake Nakuru was one of the most hit by poaching of
rhinos, having lost four since the beginning of the year. Vigilant KWS rangers responded swiftly and recovered horns from three of them while poachers took away one horn. At national level, 16 rhinos have been lost, with 13 killed by poachers and three due to natural causes. Last year, Kenya lost a total of 59 rhinos. Thirty elephants have been poached since January this year compared 302 elephants in the whole of last year (2013). These statistics point to an emerging appetite of rhinos horns for an estimated population of 1,036 in the country. However, there is a decline of elephant poaching numbers from 384 in 2012 to 302 elephants in 2013.
KWS has laid out strategies to counter the runaway poaching for these species and general protection of all wildlife landscapes. KWS has created and equipped a Rapid Deployment Unit to provide support to ranger teams in areas thought to be highly vulnerable including conservancies that host endangered species. This team will join the inter-agency anti-poaching crack unit that was deployed in Narok, Tsavo and Isiolo.
