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Kenyans make huge haul of ivory

An operation involving Interpol and stretching across Kenya, Burundi, Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania has seen Kenya seize 1,100 kg of ivory in the past three months, leading to 65 arrests. The Kenya Wildlife Service says the country’s elephant population is suffering from intensified poaching to supply increasing amounts of ivory to international markets. The rising sophistication of wildlife crime has required an equally sophisticated response, according to Interpol's Africa wildlife crime unit, which works alongside African wildlife and security agencies to target known smuggling points. Some of those arrested included foreign nationals. Firearms, ammunition, vehicles and the skins of large feline predators were among the illegal wildlife products seized. Authorities believe huge quantities of contraband are destined for markets in the Far East. If this is a by-product of massive Chinese investment in Africa, then governments need to do something about it. And fast. Read more: Reuters, AFP

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