In Pictures | Kenya burns 105 tonnes of illegal ivory to stop poaching
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)