Suspected elephant poachers shot dead

KENYA: The Kenya Wildlife Service says its game rangers have shot and killed five suspected poachers in the country’s western region and recovered elephant tusks weighing 110 pounds. Kenya Wildlife Service spokesman Paul Udoto said yesterday that two game rangers were wounded in the gunfight that lasted 40 minutes early in the morning in Chepareria in West Pokot County.

Udoto said three AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects and rangers are pursuing a sixth suspect who escaped.

Kenya rangers shot and killed six suspected poachers last month. Udoto said Kenya’s Wildlife Service is determined to make poaching “a high-cost, low-benefit activity” after elephant deaths increased in recent years and poachers became more aggressive. Six rangers have been killed this year.