Two men were arrested on the 25th April for carrying 703 kg (1,550 lb) of elephant ivory in southern Kenya. They were traveling by vehicle in Tanzania when they were ambushed by wildlife scouts from the Amboseli-Tsavo Game Scouts Association. They fled across the Kenyan border, and were caught and arrested by authorities tipped off by the scouts.
This is biggest seizure in recent times in Kenya and the ivory is valued at around 59-60 million Kenyan shillings ($750,000). The men, whose identities have not been released, appeared in a Kajiado court on Monday morning where they plead guilty. The men face up to a year in jail.
The haul of 33 whole tusks and 57 pieces, weighing over 700kg, is believed to represent over 50 individual elephants.
The Amboseli elephants are not anonymous animals, after more than 40 years of research each elephant is individually known. The field team now fear that “some of the tusks could belong to the splendid bull Ganesh or Echo’s son, Ely, or the impressive long-tusked Theodora from the TD family that has been spending more time in Kimana than Amboseli over the last decade”.
Who killed them and how? One person claims that these elephants could be the victims of Furadan poisoning. This is one of several indicators that ivory trade is on the rise as is elephant poaching in Kenya, Asia and Congo. Cynthia Moss of the Amboseli Trust for Elephant have been reporting alarming increases in poaching in the Amboseli ecosystem. We believe that this is all in response to the lifting of the ban on trade in ivory, and the one off sale that took place in Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia in November last year.
Harvey Croze of ATE writes that “it appears that our concerns have been vindicated when Cynthia reported in February on increased poaching for ivory in Amboseli. Perhaps now authorities will take seriously the twin threat to Africa’s elephants: the one-off sale of ivory from southern African stockpiles to China, combined with the presence of Chinese roadgangs in the ecosystem”.
It is depressing that these two men face only a year in jail for one of the biggest seizures of ivory in Kenya. Their sentence will hardly dampen the demand or reduce the incentives for many who are greedy for ivory. We have it on good authority (from someone who wishes to remain anonymous), that the ivory was being transported in a vehicle owned by a powerful person. Until these bigger people are brought to justice, the poachers, and small time dealers will continue. The challenge is how to catch and prosecute these powerful, and politically connected big shots.
Four questions for you to think about
Kenya currently holds over 35 tons of ivory in her strong rooms – for some this represents fantastic commercial value, to us they represent death and destruction.
Q1. Do you think it is time we revive the ban on trade in ivory?
Q2. Do you think we should aggressively resume pursuing the perpetrators of this cruel trade?
Q3. Will you help us to raise awareness and demand for better protection for all elephants?
Q4. What should Kenya do with the 35 tons of stockpiled ivory?
Leave a comment and let us know what you think.
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Jan 28th Sheryl B USD 23.00
14 Comments
It is such a sad thing that some Kenyan people are distroying the country’s natural heritage and all it’s glory by decimating this amazing wildlife. The demand for ivory and other parts of some of the most endangered animals by greedy and evil people, is going to cost Kenya and it’s citizens more than they can think of. At the end of the day if there is no wildlife to enjoy, there will be less and less tourists, which means less and less revenue to Kenyan government.
It doesn’t matter how powerful these evil people are, they should be brought to justice and sentenced to jail for a long time. Also there should a total ban on ivory sales and I personally think it was a big maistake to release the ban.
I have said it quite a few times that any country who is exploiting Africa’s wildlife in such a shameful way should also be punished in a way which would have an affect on that country’s economy etc. I’m very worried with this Chinese connection. It’s already enough bad in Asia where anything is fit to be eaten or used in “traditional” medicine and animal species numbers are going dramatically down.
World is quite a sick place if you really come to think of it, but thanks to some brave and dedicated people wildlife still has hope.
Dear God, to think they’ve killed elephants that we know … I don’t have anything polite to say.
Q1, Q2, Q3 – YES YES YES.
Q4 – BURN IT.
Pirjo said a powerful mouthful – thank you for some very good points – The deaths of these elephants is horrible. Furadan poisioning? That is a very scary thing.
Q1 – Yes, yes, but how do we convince CITIES?
Q2 – Yes and target these powerful and politically connected big shots.
Q3 – Yes, yes!!!
Q4 – I agree – and let Richard Leakey be present again!!
This post breaks my heart!
By all means pursue perpetrators, from the poacher, to the smuggler/transporter, to the middle man and if you can get the name of the buyer he should be pursued also whether a Kenyan or foreigner, civilian or government official.
Part of the problem lies with the Kenyan government for not giving KWS the funds they need to do the job adequately. The other part is the ridiculous one year in jail and/or $125.00 fine!
Penalties should be commensurate with the crime of poaching and selling ivory. If ivory sells for $800.00 per pound, then the penalty/fine should be 800 x 1,500 pounds. If tusks from 50 elephants were found – the jail term should be 50 years with no parole. Once a couple people are sentenced as above, very few people will chance spending the rest of their life in prison if they know the government is going to protect their wildlife at all costs.
I’ve heard that people poach “because of poverty”. I don’t believe that for one minute. I’ve met many extremely poor people in Kenya and they wouldn’t dream of killing their wildlife. It’s greed that is the reason – not poverty.
If the government is not going to get serious about its wildlife, then nothing KWS or the conservationists do will be enough to save it.
Burn the tusks and let the world mourn the passing of these magnificent 50 elephants whose lives were taken by greed.
Devastating news but not a surprise or a bolt out of the blue, the most disturbing aspect of all is the this haul comes from the relative traditionally “safe” area of Kenya/Tanzania, the East African region synonyms with the Elephant and home to the most famous Elephants in the world (ATF long time study/research and the Amboseli population).. We can only speculate about the potential situation in other parts of the continent !
As for the perpetrators, in my view it is highly likely that very powerful individuals within a wide spectrum of areas and organisations involved, the guys caught on the ground are only at the very bottom in a long chain of “changing hands” and commanders in chiefs. Unless you get to these guys and stand up to the corruptions that is undoubtedly involved it does not matter as much to what degree the punishments are set for the guys on the “ground”.
We knew that with the CITES decision last year to allow the auction of the stockpile ivory the writing was on the wall, a reignited demand and interest in ivory and what then follows is not difficult to work out… there is no coincidence that these trucks and car’s were heading EAST to the ports….
Q1. Yes – the evidence is piling up (excuse the pun)
Q2. Yes – there might be surprises to what we might find and what organisations that could be involved… All linked ultimately to lack of transparency, corruption and personal greed..
Q3. YES and YES again but with the current global situations both financially and now close to a potential global flu pandemic it will be a challenge, still I believe in preservation and all the brilliant work passionate and dedicated people are doing on a day to day basis..
Q4. Difficult one…
Supply and demand equation..
The issue should also be tackled from the demand side of the equation..same as all the natural resources of Africa and the developing world at large. There is poverty and many other factors that force people to be compromised, but who buys these items? Who has a craving for these items? I know its not the traditional witch doctor..they have since adapted remnants sustainable development and choose the bulls horn over the tasks. You will never go to an African house and see these artifacts, never. The blood diamond, blood oil, blood wildlife. A native will eat bushmeat for survival but those how crave for a delicacy are half of the problem. So lets not just look at those lower and middle of the chain but those who create demand too.
IF not we are in one of the many vicious cycles that we didn’t take part nor consulted but simply sucked in.
Q1. Financial supremacy has compromised moral and ethical stand of the world . I thought in the previous CITES meeting the same was discussed and a total ban over a ruled. Those in favor of continuing satisfying demand took the day and as with any Law a vague ruling was passed to create room to balance the equation . If we don’t deal with the demand the whole thing is a total joke.
Q2. When you say ‘resume’ you are indicating that it had stopped. I suggest we deal with the issue differently. To my understanding, KWS was formed to deal with this menace but it has been 20 years?? and we are still what ‘to aggressively resume pursuing the perpetrators of this cruel trade’. I still believe that the failure has been we are looking at the supply only and never the demand side of it. Elephants are being killed for the tasks and not the meat; the suppler and middlemen get peanuts; but once these products land on the hands of those who appreciate and value the story changes. Some energy should be redirected to that side and lets face argumentum ad hominem part of this topic.
Q3. If you will also create awareness and face those creating demand with the same wrath as you show those lower in the chain, count me in
Q4. Least we all act on this matter sooner, I’d say we keep that for the future generation to see and feel what a tusk since sadly elephants will be only in zoos.
Q1: Yes
Q2: Yes. Although, as you’ve said, the biggest problem is not the poachers, but the big shots behind them. I had heard that the vehicle carrying the ivory was in a minister’s vehicle. Pertinent stickers and other markings on the vehicle gave it away easily. Though, my source can’t be quoted completely reliably.
Q3: Yes
Q4: Burn it. Otherwise its just a temptation for someone in power. If it gets into the wrong hands, someone will make a hell of a lot of money from it. Burn it.
Words can’t describe my frustration at the short-sighted greed of some people in this country.
Dear All,
Thanks for posting this story. I just have one correction to make, it was the Mbirikani Game Scouts that stopped the vehicle in along with the local police in Mbirikani town. I work for the Maasailand Preservation Trust who run the game scouts, amongst other projects, here on the Mbirikani Group Ranch.
We caught up with the convoy on the way to Loitokitok where their car was led by the police and KWS vehicles. It is amazing that this bust has recieved so much publicity and such a good response but who do we go to with the name of the ex-MP who the car belongs to? We have his name but need to be careful about where we disclose it.
We need to evoke the response this continuing travesty deserves!
In response to your questions: yes, ye, with all our voices and BURN IT! for the whole world to see. The CITIES “controlled” ivory trade should be stopped!
Looking forward to hearing your responses.
Gwili
Evil Men will always exploit the ignorant and opportunistic. There is no remedy for that unfortunate aspect of the human condition. I am vengefully gladdened that this shipment never reached its destination but that is of no consequence to the majestic beasts who were slaughtered simply for being beautiful.
I recommend that the ivory be given to a team of international artists. With it they will make a macabre sculpture, so gloriously horrific that people will travel far and wide to see it and be shamed. The exhibit will gain momentum and go across the world and raise awareness to this malignant lust for trophies that seems to consume so many. Perhaps then, when owning a dismembered animal is no longer vogue, can these creatures finally exist in peace and them men and women who fight for their survival, rest.
1)without a doubt in my mind
2)yes!
3)i have been!
4)it should be disposed of. If ivory is taken out of the market completely then people will stop seeing it as merchandise and start seeing it for what it really is; the cause of death, destruction and even war. Nothing can be left out if we wanna make a change! Its a very critical time for the elephants of the world and if they can’t be heard by the majority of the population, then something has to be done to make them hear! Starting with making ALL ivory sales illegal to show the world that this can’t be just about money anymore, lives are at stake-both human and elephant.
1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes
4) It should be disposed of, but in a method that allows as much local and global publicity. The burning of ivory back in 1989 served as much as a publicity stunt as it did moral exclamation. However, seeking similar effects, the 35tons should be burned with the announcement of new CITES policy and Kenyan legislation to end the trade and strengthen sentencing.
My main concern, however, is the potential involvement of much bigger Kenyan players within this particular episode. As the KTN report suggests, the apprehended vehicle carrying the ivory had a potential parliamentary link. Has this been explored further? Surely the number plates and parliamentary records can allow for effective tracing of the MP/person implicated? This cannot become yet another corrupt case whereby the individual’s status allows them to go free without the minimum of a public statement about the use of their car! All too often, the poachers caught are the poor pawns of a much bigger operation. If anyone should be sought, it’s the big shots, especially if they are government hypocrites.
I’m a residence safari guide at Amboseli Porini Camp.
Elephants are very intelligent and human like friend’s of kasaine so I say i don’t feel the pains of suffering in Elephants not only in Amboseli but to the whole world then the Elephants would feel that and it would sad for me.
When we talk of Echo’s son Ely a question arises in my nerves coz of her Mothers death that He did not live long to see.
When I hear of poaching and then while on a gamedrive these days I don’t get to see the likes of Mr.Handsome!i leave the park wondering His whereabout.
Thanks to the effort of the whole Team of Amboseli Elephants Trust and i say again Kudos and May God grant you more strength,support,timeless determination to overcome these challenges.
My answer to the last Q is that let the Government in collaboration with various Elephant Project sales the Tusks and the money be use to strengthen the fight against Ivory Trade and Poaching in Kenya and it’s Borders. Thank you!
i think what they should do with the 35 tons of ivory,lets be practical,its already there, the damage have been done, so just sell it and use the money to feed the hungry kenyan nationals…. but at the same time ban the future poaching of elephants….
The problem is much deeper. Animals that have no commercial value will inevitably be wiped out. The European and American do-gooders should be crucified. They forced the Kenyana Government to ban hunting, thus killing an industry that provided thousands of jobs to a poor country. Landowners have no reason to conserve wildlife, because it has no commercial value. Controlled hunting leads to wildlife conservation. It is a thriving industry in Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. These three countries currently have twice as much game as it had a century ago. And thousands of people are making a living through it. Bushmeat has no place in these countries.
Do some honest soul-searching, get to the root of the problem – if you have the courage to do so – and stop enforcing your idealistic Euro-centred morals on Africa – starving Africans and anihilating their wildlife.
Rather save Europe and the United States!
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