Kenya burns 15 tonnes of confiscated ivory in fighting poachers

Fifteen tonnes of ivory confiscated from smugglers and poachers is burnt to mark World Wildlife Day at the Nairobi National Park March 3, 2015.[Photo/asianewsphoto]

NAIROBI - Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Tuesday set ablaze 15 tonnes of contraband ivory and vowed to intensify the ongoing war against wildlife crimes in the country.

Kenyatta burnt the ivory stockpile in the presence of dignitaries from government, foreign missions and conservation groups during the occasion to mark the World Wildlife Day.

"In the last three years, poaching and illicit wildlife trafficking have become a growing challenge for Kenya. These crimes threaten our biodiversity, security and peace," said the president.

Kenyatta said the East African nation has developed robust legal frameworks and invested in state-of-the-art technology to strengthen the war against wildlife crimes. He noted the passage of 2013 Wildlife Act, acquisition of new technology and recruitment of rangers have enhanced response to poaching.