{Kenya is not taking eight lions to Rwanda, Kenya Wildlife Services Director William Kiprono has said.}
Rwanda is said to have struck a deal with Kenyan authorities to import eight lions to increase the numbers in Akagera National Park.
“No lions have been exported to Rwanda,” Kiprono said. “Rwanda has only made a request and the matter is being discussed at the highest level of the government.”
He was speaking to journalists after marking Wold Elephant Day in Voi on Tuesday.
Conservations in Kenya have opposed the transfer. They say Rwanda has not addressed issues resulting in the decline of its own lion population.
Kiprono said that the number of lions in Kenya stands at about 2000. Any export of Kenyan wildlife requires presidential approval and the agreement of several ministries.
Earlier, KWS officers led Voi residents and other wildlife lovers in a walk around the town to create awareness on World Elephant Day.
Kiprono said that KWS is working with local and international partners to minimise threats to Kenya’s elephant population, improve enforcement policies, and conserve elephant habitats.
KWS is also educating communities on the the penalties associated with trophy poaching or illegal possession of ivory.
Kiprono said the aim is to discourage them from being used by ivory dealers to undertake poaching or transport poached ivory.
International Fund for Animal Welfare regional director James Isiche said that every year, about 35,000 elephants are killed globally to supply the illegal ivory trade.
“In the last seven months, there have been nearly 10 tonnes of ivory seized around the world, especially in Africa and Asia,” Isiche said.
He said that in June alone, 2.1 tonnes of ivory were seized in Mombasa.
He urged Kenyans to join hands in the fight against poaching.
Taita Taveta governor John Mruttu said that his government is working closely with KWS to ensure the protection of elephants.
“When we succeed in the fight against poaching, operation expenses incurred by KWS will reduce,” Mruttu said.
“This means that the money will instead help us fund more development projects.”
Mruttu added that tourism is one of the main economic pillars of the county, thus the need to support wildlife conservation efforts.
“We must change the way we are doing things. Poaching of elephants and illegal trade will only stop when KWS, other law enforcement agencies, local communities and Kenyans at large join hands in the fight,” he said.
The Star
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