ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN DE MODE
Article Published on: 14TH MAR 2025 | www.demodemagazine.com
In a powerful demonstration against poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, Kenya burned 105 tons of confiscated ivory on April 30, 2016, at Nairobi National Park. This symbolic act aimed to reinforce the message that ivory has no value except on living elephants and to call for a global ban on its trade.
The event was one of the largest ivory burns in history, involving the destruction of tusks from approximately 8,000 elephants, along with 1.35 tons of rhino horn. By eliminating such a massive stockpile, Kenya aimed to send a strong message to poachers, traffickers, and consumers that it would not tolerate the illegal ivory trade.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta led the event, accompanied by African Heads of State, high-ranking United Nations officials, and conservationists. Their presence underscored the global significance of the occasion and the collective effort required to combat wildlife crimes.
The ivory burn was seen as a turning point in raising awareness about the poaching crisis. Conservation organizations hailed it as a crucial step in advocating for stricter international regulations to protect elephants and rhinos from extinction. The Kenya Wildlife Service reiterated its "zero-tolerance policy" towards poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking, emphasizing the need for strong enforcement of anti-poaching laws.
Kenya’s initiative aligned with the goals of the Elephant Protection Initiative (EPI), which supported nations in destroying ivory stockpiles to prevent them from re-entering illegal markets. This event reinforced Kenya's commitment to wildlife conservation, highlighting the urgency of international cooperation to end poaching and protect endangered species.
The ivory burn of 2016 remains a landmark moment in conservation history, symbolizing Kenya’s firm stance against the ivory trade and its unwavering dedication to safeguarding wildlife for future generations.