KENYA will partner with Tanzania in investigating the Monday night poaching of five elephants at Tsavo West National Park, the Kenya Wildlife Service has said.
A cross-border team will pursue four Tanzanian suspects, KWS spokesman Paul Gathitu told the Star yesterday
“We have contacted our counterparts to set up investigation and possibly apprehend the financiers operating between Kenya and Tanzania,” he said.
Gathitu said the search mission has been extended to Mt Kilimanjaro, where the suspects are believed to be operating from.
He said one more suspect has been arrested, bringing to four the number of Kenyans held over the incident.
Gathitu said the suspect was arrested at Loikokitok and is currently being interrogated.
He said they will also contact Interpol in the manhunt and investigation of prominent individuals behind the ivory trade.
"Poaching is a network stretching from African parks to Asian markets, hence need for concerted efforts,” he said.
KWS and police suspect the gang could be behind the seizure of tones of ivory that were impounded in Thailand and Singapore in April and May respectively.
