Ants in test tubes: While wildlife trafficking in is not new in Kenya, it is pivoting from iconic animals to lesser-known species
Turns out, these weren’t just any ants. Among the species found were M. cephalotes, also known as the Giant African Harvester ant – striking creatures with vivid red and black colouring. Exotic pet enthusiasts prize them for their size, vibrant appearance and colony behaviour. They’re rare outside East Africa, difficult to breed, and fetch high prices on specialty pet markets in Europe and Asia.
Ivory traffickers arrested in northern Kenya as searchlight shows poachers are back with unseen ferocity after a lull
The KWS rangers in Turkana said they suspect the tusks were obtained by poachers who killed at least three elephants. The suspects will be charged with being in possession of wildlife trophies of endangered species contrary to section 92(4) of the Wildlife Conservation Management Act 2013.
Necessary evil: Although Contentious, study finds dehorning can save the African rhino
South Africa has the largest numbers of black and white rhinos. Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya also have significant populations. There are around 17,500 white rhinos and 6,500 black rhinos left in the world, with black rhino numbers reduced from 70,000 in 1970 to less than 2,500 by the time poaching reached a crisis point in the mid-1990s, according to the Save the Rhino organization.
