Kenya calls for concerted efforts to save elephants

Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has called for an increased support in order to save elephants that are being slaughtered at a high rate.

The Kenyan government has shown essential political goodwill and support in the fight against ivory trade to save elephants and other endangered species, reported Xinhua citing Margaret during an anti-poaching campaign at the Amboseli National park.

"We are inviting everyone to help us protect the elephants. The world is a global village; the demand for ivory comes from countries far away. We need to work together to save the elephants," she said.

The remarks came as wildlife activists launched an online campaign aimed at naming and shaming poachers in the East African nation and help in the fight against the menace.

The launch of PoachersExposed.com was motivated by the spike in killings of 100 elephants each year in Kenya, said Kenya United Against Poaching (Kuapo), while noting that the campaign will show charged or convicted people with links to poaching.

Kenyatta called for the need for the law to provide for stiffer penalties to deter poaching which was a major threat to the country's economy, stability and natural heritage.

"We must all be concerned by the impact of poaching. The only people who benefit from ivory trade in Kenya today are a handful of criminals. I am leading the campaign for the future, for my children. Imagine Kenya without elephants. All Kenyans must say no to poaching," she said.

Statistics from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) showed that three percent of overall wildlife tourism earnings are now being redirected to the treatment of wounded elephants and catering for orphaned calves.