Suspected poacher apprehended following a shootout with KWS rangers
Yesterday, December 20, a suspected poacher was injured in an exchange of fire with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers in El-maow, Wajir East.
The incident occurred after residents alerted KWS about gunshots heard in the area at 8 am, and rangers were subsequently dispatched to the site.
Upon arriving at the scene, the rangers encountered three suspected poachers, two of whom were armed and opened fire at the rangers. The rangers shot back, injuring one of the suspected poachers, who was then taken to Wajir Referral Hospital for treatment.
According to KWS, in addition to the injured poacher, a male adult giraffe was killed at the scene and was found partially skinned.
A statement from the wildlife service said, “A joint team of KWS and the National Police Service recovered a Carribean rifle, mobile phone, daggers, live ammunition, and spent cartridges of assorted caliber at the scene.”
A KWS veterinary doctor is scheduled to conduct a post-mortem examination on the giraffe’s carcass.
The wildlife service urges the public to refrain from engaging in the illegal bush meat trade, which poses a risk of exposure to deadly zoonotic diseases such as anthrax and coronaviruses.
The wounded suspect is expected to be arraigned in court as he recovers in stable condition at the hospital.