In an attempt to stop poaching, Kenya burns 105 tonnes of ivory.
Burning 105 tonnes of illegal ivory, Kenya has sent the message that President Uhuru Kenyatta will not stop at anything to disband the ring of poaching and animal smuggling, haunting the wildlife of Africa.
In 1989, when for the first time ivories were burnt, many suggested that they should be sold and used in national development. Such suggestions were thwarted by the President, in an attempt to completely eradicate poaching.
Kenya is also seeking a total ban on ivory and any product made from it at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), later in 2016.
Here is how 105 tonnes of burning ivory looks.
1. Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and Richard Leakey
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Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) and chairman of the Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) Richard Leakey (left) pose for the press after the president lit on fire parts of an estimated 105 tonnes of ivory and a tonne of rhino horn confiscated from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park near Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
2. Journalist photographs the ivories being burnt
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A journalist takes a picture as fire burns part of an estimated 105 tonnes of ivory and a tonne of rhino horn confiscated from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park near Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
3. Journalist walks past burning stocks
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A journalist walks past burning stocks of an estimated 105 tonnes of ivory and a tonne of rhino horn confiscated from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
4. Kenya Wildlife Services ranger guards the ivory
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A Kenya Wildlife Services ranger guards the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
5. Kenya Wildlife Services rangers patrol
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Kenya Wildlife Services rangers patrol as they guard the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
6. Adding fuel to the ivory
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A man prepares to add fuel to the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of ivory and a tonne of rhino horn confiscated from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
7. A Kenya Wildlife Services ranger stands guard
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A Kenya Wildlife Services ranger guards the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
8. Fire brigade controlling the ember
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Members of the fire brigade control the burning of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
9. A section of the ivories burnt
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A section of an estimated 105 tonnes of Elephant tusks confiscated ivory from smugglers and poachers burns in flames at the Nairobi National Park. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
