Two suspected poachers killed in Tsavo East. Two others escaped with gunshot wounds.

Description

From the Star Newspaper
"Two suspected poachers were on Tuesday killed in Tsavo East National Park, while two accomplices escaped with gunshot wounds.

Taita Taveta county commissioner Kula Hache said an AK 47 riffle and 13 bullets were recovered in an operation conducted by KWS rangers.

"Our officers were tipped off by the members of the public of suspected poachers who had sneaked into the park. We immediately launched a man hunt in collaboration with KWS rangers and luckily we caught up with them before they could hit their target," Hache said.

She said officers had further launched a hot pursuit on the two who managed to escape saying they would catch up with them as they had sustained serious gunshot wounds.

"I want to thank the members of the public for the vital information not forgetting our committed officers for their good coordination to track the suspects. We shall continue with such dedication to ensure we crack down on any suspected poachers to save our parks," she said.

This comes amid increased poaching in the park with about five killed at the park last year.

In Kitui county, three people were arrested on Monday for being in possession of two pieces of ivory weighing 51 kilogrammes.

They were booked at Mutumo police station and are expected in court once investigations are concluded.

KWS security covert team and intelligence team in Tsavo West apprehended the suspects at Kivuta village in Ikutha area.

Read: Suspect arrested after Sh197 million ivory seized at Mombasa port

Last month, a Narok court fined a man Sh60 million or serve life imprisonment in default after convicting him of three counts of illegal possession, dealing and keeping three pieces of ivory weighing 10 kilogrammes.

Samuel Santore appeared before the court to face the three charges in breach of section 95 as read with section 92 of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013. He denied all the charges.

The court found the accused guilty of the three charges and sentenced him to a fine of Sh20 million for each count, totaling Sh60 million or in default to life imprisonment.

The court also ruled that the three pieces of elephant tusks be forfeited to Kenya Wildlife Service".