KWS warns poachers as 16 more carcasses seized in Tana River

KWS officers arrange carcasses of bushmeat that were intercepted./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The Kenya Wildlife Service has intensified anti-poaching operations in northern Tana River county.

Garissa KWS warden Aden Jelle said the agency had extended its operations to Bangale subcounty and other parts of northern Tana River, where the illegal killing and transportation of wildlife remains a growing concern.

He spoke at the KWS offices on Friday after the latest operation saw officers intercept 16 more wildlife carcasses involving antelopes, giraffes and guineafowl in the Areri area of Bangale subcounty, Tana North.

A motorbike used by the poachers was intercepted in the process.

It brings the number of carcasses recovered in northern Garissa and Tana North to 93.

He warned suspected wildlife traffickers that they will be pursued as authorities step up efforts to dismantle networks behind the illegal bushmeat trade.

Jelle said the agency was shifting greater attention to northern Tana River, which falls under the operational jurisdiction of the Garissa KWS office.

“We are putting more focus on the northern part of Tana River county, which remains under the jurisdiction of Garissa county in terms of KWS operations,” he said.

“Any suspect who thinks we cannot reach them should know that we are coming after them. We have a list of suspects identified through intelligence reports, and we will share their names with the chiefs so that they can be asked to surrender.”

Jelle said the agency is relying on intelligence-led operations to identify suspected poachers and trace those involved in the illegal killing, handling and transportation of wildlife products.

He warned that those who fail to surrender would face further action, signalling a tougher enforcement approach as KWS seeks to curb the trade.

“This is a national heritage and a national asset that must be safeguarded by all parties, including local communities. The local communities, in particular, should take the lead in the fight against bushmeat poaching.”

The warden specifically warned residents of northern Tana River that the expanded operations would focus on areas where suspected poaching activities have been reported, particularly Bangale subcounty.

“I am therefore issuing a strong warning to residents of northern Tana River county that we have extended our operations to the area, particularly Bangale subcounty,” he said.

The latest seizure underscores the scale of the poaching challenge facing wildlife authorities in the region, where bushmeat trafficking continues to threaten wildlife populations and expose the weaknesses in efforts to secure extensive rangelands and wildlife habitats.

The latest seizure comes amid a series of interceptions by KWS officers in Garissa county, pointing to persistent efforts to exploit wildlife for the illegal meat trade.

Last month, officers intercepted 27 carcasses of dik-dik and an antelope believed to have been killed for bushmeat in Garissa county.

The carcasses were recovered at Bohodhe along the Diiso-Hagadera road, a route connecting parts of the county to the Dadaab refugee-hosting area.

Officers also recovered a Toyota Alto believed to have been used to transport the illegally obtained wildlife products.

The operation reportedly turned dramatic when occupants of the vehicle opened fire, highlighting the security risks facing officers pursuing suspected poachers and the potentially dangerous environment in which wildlife enforcement operations are conducted.

In April, another operation resulted in the interception of a white Suzuki Alto at Alango Arba, also known as Hagarbul, in Fafi subcounty.

The vehicle was reportedly transporting about 200kg of suspected giraffe meat and a giraffe head, with the recovered products estimated to be worth about Sh200,000.

Officers also reportedly recovered an AK-47 rifle loaded with 13 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, an additional magazine containing 30 rounds and seven mobile phones believed to have been used in coordinating the operation.

The suspects were allegedly dressed in jungle combat gear at the time of the interception.

The firearm and ammunition were secured as exhibits at the KWS Garissa station, while the suspects were initially held at Garissa police station before being transferred to KWS headquarters in Nairobi.

Garissa and northern Tana River contain extensive stretches of rangeland, bushland and wildlife habitat, much of it far from major urban centres.

While these landscapes support wildlife and pastoral livelihoods, their vastness and limited access can make it difficult for officers to maintain a continuous presence or monitor every route that could be exploited by poachers.

The use of ordinary passenger vehicles to transport suspected bushmeat also presents a challenge, as illegal consignments may be moved along regular roads and through settlements before they can be intercepted.

Garissa KWS Warden Aden Jelle speaking to the press outside his office /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

The bushmeat that was intercepted /STEPHEN ASTARIKO