Kenya burns 15 tonnes of confiscated ivory in fighting poachers

A pile of 15 tonnes of ivory confiscated from smugglers and poachers is arranged before being burnt to mark World Wildlife Day at the Nairobi National Park March 3, 2015..[Photo/asianewsphoto]

Kenya is among African countries that have experienced an increase in poaching of elephants. Conservation groups have raised alarm that Kenya's elephant population has sharply declined due to poaching.

According to the UN Environment Program (UNEP), Africa was home to an estimated 500,000 elephants, but has been losing 30,000 annually from poaching.

The United Nations on December 20, 2013, declared March 3 World Wildlife Day as a celebration of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of illegal trade.

The 2015 theme for World Wildlife Day is "Wildlife Crime is serious; let's get serious about wildlife crime".