Kategorie: Wilderei

A Chinese man was sentenced Wednesday by a Kenyan court to eight months in prison or a fine of around 600 dollars (440 euros) for illegal possession of 65 kilos (143 pounds) of ivory.

Chinese national Wang Zheng (R) attends the Makadara Law Courts in Nairobi

Wang Zheng, 29, was also convicted of failing to inform the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) of his cargo when he was arrested at Nairobi airport on Monday night and of dealing in game trophies without a licence.

Wang on Tuesday admitted to illegal possession of 12 tusks and 278 pieces of carved ivory he valued at 4,300 dollars (3,200 euros) when he was arrested on arrival from Democratic Republic of Congo.

KWS earlier said that Wang tried to offer a 200-dollar bribe to its officers when he was arrested.

Kenya has in recent months arrested several people trying to smuggle ivory through the main Nairobi international airport as well as suspected poachers caught with huge amounts.

The illegal trade in ivory from African elephants is driven by Asian and Middle Eastern demand for the tusks used in traditional medicines and ornaments.

Source: www.kbc.co.ke/news.asp?nid=68490

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has been involved in combting rhino poaching
Photograph by: Bruce Gorton

Lieutenant Colonel Lesego Metsi said a 33-year-old man briefly appeared before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday after he led police to two rhinos who were poached from Borakalalo Game Lodge.

"The man who is suspected not to be working alone appeared briefly before the Ga-Rankuwa Magistrate’s Court today, the case has been postponed until January 24," Metsi said in a statement.

In another case two men appeared in the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday after they were found in possession of elephant tusks at Mogwase Shopping Complex.

"The two aged 30 appeared briefly before the Rustenburg Magistrate’s Court and their case has been postponed until January 27 for further investigation and legal representation."

Metsi said police received information on Saturday that the two suspects from Moruleng Village were looking for a prospective buyer of an elephant tusk or ivory.

"The suspects were spotted around the Mogwase Shopping Complex waiting for that prospective buyer who was coming from Mozambique. After the alleged buyer did not arrive the members of the Hawks from Rustenburg pounced on them."

Metsi reminded the public to report any emergency crime situation to 08600-10111 or visit their nearby police station to report any suspicious criminal activities.

Jan 19, 2011 4:19 PM | By Sapa

Source: www.timeslive.co.za/local/article860471.ece/Three-in-court-for-poaching

Nairobi – A Chinese citizen was due to be appear in a Kenyan court Tuesday to face charges of attempting to smuggle 65 kilogrammes of ivory through Nairobi’s international airport, the Kenya Wildlife Service said.

Wang Zheng, 29, was arrested late Monday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as he caught a connecting flight to Guangzhou following his arrival from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, KWS spokesman Paul Udoto said in an emailed statement.

Zheng was allegedly carrying 278 pieces of worked and raw ivory. He may also be charged with attempting to bribe officials, Udoto said.

The ivory trade has been banned since 1989, but illegal sales have thrived with demand being fuelled largely by the Far East.

Source: www.monstersandcritics.com/news/asiapacific/news/article_1612508.php/Chinese-citizen-to-face-ivory-smuggling-charges-in-Kenya

A Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officer stands guard near a shipment of elephant tusks and rhino horns intercepted at the Jomo Kenyatta international airport in the capital Nairobi, August 23, 2010.
Photo: Thomas Mukoya

Kenya has recovered 81 elephant tusks in the northern part of the country where it is trying to contain a new wave of poaching, officials said on Saturday.

Weighing 249 kg and valued at 2.5 million shillings ($30,830), the tusks and two rhino horns were recovered by a special team of rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service and detectives in a Friday night operation.

Security officials said six rounds of ammunition, two pairs of night vision binoculars, two jungle rangers‘ uniforms and a rifle scope were recovered from three people who were arrested.

Senior Warden Aggrey Maumo, who was involved in the operation said nine rhinos have been killed in the region over the past one year.

"At least 20 rhinos were killed across the country since early last year. Northern Kenya reported the highest incidents because poachers killed nine rhinos and a huge number of elephant herds over the past year but we had a breakthrough yesterday and managed to recover this consignment," Maumo said.

The regional administrator for Marsabit district David Rotich said a number of former Ethiopian rebel group Oromo Liberation Front fighters were engaged in poaching of elephants, adding that the government has reinforced security officers around Mountain Marsabit to protect animals.

Kenya’s wildlife, which draws tourists from around the world has suffered from poaching, severe drought and floods in recent years.

by Noor Ali

Source: http://planetark.org/enviro-news/item/60809

HASSAN HUKA | Nation Kenya Wildlife Service officers inspect some of the 81 tusks recovered from a saloon car along the Isiolo-Meru highway on Friday night.

By HASSAN HUKA

Three suspected poachers have been arrested and 81 elephant tusks worth Sh2.5 million recovered by Kenya Wildlife Service officers following a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade.

The suspects were found in possession of the trophies in their saloon car as they headed to Meru town after picking the consignment from a house in Nthugi village, along the Isiolo-Meru highway on Friday night.

The officers had been tracking the traders for more than two months, according to a KWS intelligence officer who declined to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the press.

They also recovered two rhino horns, 6 rounds of ammunition, two night-vision binoculars, two rangers’ uniforms and a rifle scope.

Tourism circuit

The three who were caught are suspected to belong to a gang of poachers operating in the northern tourism circuit, which includes Mt Kenya Forest, and Isiolo, Meru and Laikipia districts.

According to KWS deputy district warden Maureen Musibu, 41 elephants in the circuit have been killed by poachers over the last several months.

“We lost 20 rhinos across the country but in this region (northern circuit), poachers killed nine over the past year, but we had a breakthrough yesterday and managed to recover the consignment,“ added Laikipia senior warden Aggrey Muamo, who was among the intelligence officers tracking the suspects.

Because of the huge haul impounded, the officers had to ask for assistance from wardens in the Aberdare and Meru national parks to cart the tusks away.

The suspects had state-of-the-art technology, including binoculars with powerful night-vision capabilities to enable hunting at night. They also had a rifle scope, which is mounted on a rifle to enable a hunter to aim at a target with precision.

Digital weighing machines and poisoned arrows, used to kill wildlife without alerting wardens on patrol or scaring away other animals, were also recovered from the car.

Heritage

One of the suspects, believed to be the leader of the gang operating in the region, has a case pending before the Kibera law courts on charges of poaching, according to Buuri DO Michael Kibet.

“Wildlife is this country’s heritage and the government will not allow a few individuals to reap from where they did not sow,“ Mr Kibet said.

The maximum sentence one can be given for killing endangered animals is a Sh40,000 fine or four years in jail.

Source: www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1085880/-/11g080ez/-/