JKIA records the highest seizures of ivory in seven years
A Kenya Wildlife Service officer arranges a stockpile of ivory for burning: JKIA has recorded 51 seizures in 289 cases in seven years. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
JKIA has recorded 51 out of the 289 ivory seizures reported in the seven years to April 2016
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has the highest ivory seizures record globally. This is as per a report released by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) last week.
JKIA, a regional hub, has recorded 51 out of the 289 ivory seizures reported in the seven years to April 2016, a statistic IATA says results from heightened screening and intelligence measures.
“This is a good thing. It means that initiatives by government and airport authorities in collaboration with Kenyan airlines are paying off,” said Jon Godson, IATA’s assistant director for environment — best practices.
“However, more needs to be done. And that is why we are calling on government agencies, airlines and other stakeholders to partner proactively to fight this local and global problem.”
Mr Godson was speaking during IATA’s AGM in Dublin, Ireland. The IATA is an association of 264 global airlines. He said the high number of seizures recorded at JKIA does not mean Kenya leads in ivory trafficking.
This is because the seizures are a combination of ivory parts intercepted while in transit through JKIA from other countries while others were sourced from Kenyan elephants.
The statistics are collated from what is publicly reported, meaning a lot more ivory could be passing through other airports undetected and unreported.
Kenyan authorities have in recent months made several seizures at JKIA including one in late March where a cargo of gemstones was found to include ivory worth Sh6.4 million.
The consignment was on transit from Mozambique to Thailand.
Dogs trained by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Canine Detection Unit have been partly credited for the increased successful seizures in recent months.
At the AGM, IATA members including Kenya Airways, endorsed a resolution denouncing the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products and pledged to partner with government authorities and conservation organisations.
The airlines committed to increase passenger and employee awareness about the nature, scale and consequences of the illegal wildlife trade. They also pledged to partner with airports, freight forwarders and other stakeholders.
“The illegal wildlife trade threatens the survival of many endangered species,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s director general and chief executive.
President Uhuru Kenyatta in April torched 105 tonnes of ivory worth Sh31 billion.
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