Kenya Takes A Strong Stand Against Wildlife Poaching

The entire world mourned as thick smoke and ash hovered over the National Nairobi Park as elephant and rhino tusks were burned. Twelve enormous towers made of ivory and rhino horns were put to fire as the whole nation watched somberly. This was a very significant event to display how the country stands against poaching. In most African countries, wildlife makes up a major part of the country’s GDP. Unless rescue and rehabilitation groups are set up, this could cause the tourism revenue to go down drastically.

According to a recent survey, an elephant is killed every 15 minutes for its tusks. Around 1338 rhinos were poached in Africa last year. These numbers keep increasing steadily unless the people take a stand. Experts in the ivory market were concerned that the burnings would cause the price of ivory to increase in the black market, but Richard Leakey, a renowned conservationist assured the public that earlier similar burnings have led to a big dip in prices.
The mass burning included over 105 tons of elephant ivory as well as more than 1 ton of rhino horns, this is said to be one of the largest stashes ever destroyed. Hopefully, this burning will cause poachers to think before attempting to take the life of another wild animal.