Activists petition Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to save elephants as poaching spirals out of control

Dear Uhuru, Poaching and killing of our wildlife is escalating at an alarming rate. Almost every week, we are losing rhinos and elephants in such a brutal manner for their horns and ivory, and sometimes their faces are hacked away even before they have died. Human brutality! The KWS is up against an ongoing battle to protect our wildlife and risking their lives in carrying out their duties against armed poachers. In the last week, certain elephants, in the Masai Mara, which had attracted world attention after being treated for gunshot wounds and having poisoned spearheads removed from their bodies by KWS Vets and Conservation Agencies, were again felled down, immediately they moved out of sight of those monitoring them. Not to mention, other pregnant, or otherwise elephants and rhinos killed elsewhere, and the family of 11 elephants massacred in Tsavo earlier this year. To note as well, the killing of numerous lions and other felines with many other animals, which are killed by various methods (including roadkills) and are not brought to the attention of the public. The blood bath of animals and humans must end. A passenger smuggling ivory through JKA was caught and sentenced to a mere fine of US $ 1 = per kilo of ivory! Our current laws are far too lenient. We need strong punitive laws in force to detract people from this wanton destruction of our National Heritage. Our country is being used as a gateway for ferrying wildlife trophies due to these outdated laws. People know that they can get off lightly. It is time to change the Risk Reward profile and end the poaching menace. This missive has been sent by Olga Levari Ercolano and has already been delivered. We need as many signatures of supporters of this cause. Please visit Kenyans For Wildlife on Facebook for more information. Source: Kenyans for Wildlife