38 Seizures of Wildlife Contraband Recorded in Kenya

The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) reported today the seizure of 38 illicit wildlife products in transit since January 2016 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) airport through the Canines for Conservation program operated by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) with AWF support.

AWF-trained canines are playing an increasingly important role in stopping the trade of illegal wildlife products. Interceptions at JKIA have included more than one ton of pangolin scales as well as elephant ivory that had been worked into earrings, bangles and other ornaments.

“These interceptions have proved that these highly trained dogs can detect from half a ton down to the smallest amounts of wildlife contraband, little should pass undetected if the dogs are working,” said Will Powell, Director of Canines for Conservation. “The strong bond between the dogs and their handlers has also played a significant role in these outcomes,” Powell added.

In recent years, poaching of rhino horn and elephant tusk in parts of Africa have skyrocketed due to the rise in demand from Asia and other parts of the world. It is estimated that more than 27,691 elephants were killed for their tusks across Africa between 2010 and 2014.

Although Kenya has witnessed a significant decline in incidents of poaching in the recent years, Tanzania, on the other hand, has lost more elephants to poaching than any other country in Africa. The two East African countries remain major transit points for smuggled ivory.

Recently, Uganda joined Kenya and Tanzania in these efforts to curb the illicit crime, particularly ivory trafficking, which has been the most perpetrated through its borders. With AWF support, four dogs and 12 handlers have been trained and will be deployed to Entebbe Airport and other key sites this year.

“This is a significant milestone for Uganda’s effort to curtail wildlife trafficking and putting an end to poaching,” said Dr. Andrew Seguya the Executive Director Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).

“We are building something that is robust, sustainable and exciting working closely with the Wildlife Authorities in the countries we are helping,” added Will Powell.