Kenya Wildlife Services(KWS) rangers were on Tuesday, December 20, engaged in a shootout after suspected poachers who attempted to escape their dragnet.
The KWS officers bumped into the poachers who were on a mission to waylay migrating animals at El-maow area in Wajir East.
According to a statement that was sent to newsrooms by KWS, the officers interrupted the poachers who had set traps for horned animals like elephants and rhinos.
One poacher was injured during the shootout while two other others escaped under a heavy fire-power.
“The wounded suspect was taken to Wajir Referral Hospital where he’s in stable condition while undergoing treatment as he awaits arraignment in court,” KWS corporate communications reported.
The information about the poachers was shared by the residents of El-maow area who reported gunshots heard in their vicinity at 8.00 AM, after which the rangers were dispatched to the site.
KWS communication department noted that the officers also recovered some items which will be used as evidence against the suspects.
“A joint team from KWS and the National Police Service has cordoned off the scene and recovered a Carribean rifle, mobile phone, daggers, live ammunition and spent cartridges of assorted caliber,” read part of the statement.
The poachers had already killed one giraffe and were in the process of skinning it when they were ambushed by rangers.
“One male adult giraffe was killed by the poachers and was found at the scene partially skinned.
Meanwhile, a KWS veterinary doctor is scheduled to conduct a post-mortem examination on the giraffe's carcass,” the report further added.
Members of the public were urged to avoid engaging in the bush meat trade since it is not only illegal but exposes dealers and consumers to deadly zoonotic diseases such as anthrax and coronaviruses.
In a previous statement, KWS had also warned against poaching wildlife and consuming illegal bushmeat.
This was after a reduction of some types of animals in the Shimba Hills National Reserve which is home to elephants, sable antelopes, buffalos, baboons, monkeys, giraffes, zebras, ostriches and to over 100 species of birds was noted.
