The international monitoring organization,
TRAFFIC, says 2011 set a global record for large seizures of illegal ivory, reflecting the sharp increase in the illegal ivory trade since 2007. In 2011 there were at least 13 seizures over 800 kgs, representing the deaths of more than 2500 elephants. Hopefully, these seizures also indicate an increase in effectiveness of enforcement efforts. Recent seizures were at the port of Mombasa, Kenya where 727 pieces of ivory were discovered on December 21st in a container destined for Asia. Malaysian customs officials
[photo] seized close to half a ton of ivory exported from Cape Town, South Africa on January 9th. This was the third ivory seizure at Port Klang, Malaysia in just over six months. Most of the illegal ivory comes from Africa and is shipped to Thailand and China. TRAFFIC has been keeping records on the ivory trade for the CITIES convention for twenty-three years. Rising demand for ivory and the involvement of criminal gangs with international connections are responsible for the rising deaths of elephants for their ivory. Once final figures have been tallied to include smaller ivory seizures, 2011 could be the worst year on record for elephants.
In a related development, Kenya Wildlife Service rangers are hunting the suspects of the killing of a community ranger,
Abdullahi Mohammed, during a shoot out on the Rukinga Ranch occurring on January 13th. Another ranger was seriously injured in the exchange. Rangers were following the bloody trail of an injured elephant and human footprints when they were ambushed by the poachers. The poachers were equipped with an AK-47 and two clips of ammunition found stashed under a bush on an adjoining ranch. Rukinga ranch is part of the Kasigau Corridor forest restoration project area that allows animals to travel between Tsavo East and West National Parks. The owner of Rukinga ranch, Wildlife Works, employs local people in a garment factory as well as rangers to protect the wildlife. The project is part of the UN's REDD program (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation in Developing Countries)
