Kenya to burn 100 metric tons of illegal ivory

A pupil from Stem International in Nairobi assists Kenya Wildlife Service rangers in stacking elephant tusks and rhino horns in preparation for the April 30 burning in Nairobi National Park. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Preparations for the burning of more than 100 metric tons of elephant ivory, rhino horn and other seized illegal wildlife products have entered the home stretch and a top Kenya wildlife protection official said Kenya had declared total war on the ivory trade.

A total of 105 tons of ivory and 1.35 tons of rhino horn will be set ablaze by President Uhuru Kenyatta on April 30 in Nairobi National Park in the presence of other heads of state and dignitaries from all over the world.

On Friday, the preparation attracted the participation of pupils from Stem International School, who were on a sightseeing drive in the park. The pupils visited the ivory-burning site and joined efforts to stack the ivory pyres.

Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Kitili Mbathi oversaw the opening of the container with ivory and said Kenya had declared total war on the ivory trade.

Volunteers, including the pupils, moved the ivory to one of the pier chambers to be used to burn the contraband wildlife products under the supervision of KWS staff.

houliqiang@chinadaily.com.cn

A volunteer helps move the ivory. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn