James.Grage
AH legend
By VIVIAN JEBET
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Seven Grévy's zebras were Sunday killed at the Buffalo Springs Game Reserve in Isiolo County during a shootout between Turkana and Samburu herders.
Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto said the carcasses were found scattered Monday morning by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warders and those employed by the county government.
Mr Rutto said suspects believed to be Turkanas from Attan and Ngaremara also carried away some bush meat from the dead zebras before escaping.
No one has been arrested so far.
Isiolo KWS Senior Warden Michael Gichure said rangers have been dispatched and are following crucial leads in an attempt to arrest the suspects.
“The tourists we get in our parks are particularly coming to see the few Grévy's zebra we have.
“It is unfortunate that they were killed by the same people who benefit from their existence,” said Mr Gichure.
The Grévy's zebra, also known as the imperial zebra, is the largest extant wild member of the horse family and the largest and most endangered of the three species of zebras.
The incident comes amid reports that wild animals are endangered in the parks following rampant cases of cattle rustling in the game reserve.
Recent statistics show that the park is home to about 3,000 Grévy's zebras.
Mr Rutto urged the county government to fence its parks to restrain poachers and herders from entering.
More by this Author
Seven Grévy's zebras were Sunday killed at the Buffalo Springs Game Reserve in Isiolo County during a shootout between Turkana and Samburu herders.
Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Kipchumba Rutto said the carcasses were found scattered Monday morning by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warders and those employed by the county government.
Mr Rutto said suspects believed to be Turkanas from Attan and Ngaremara also carried away some bush meat from the dead zebras before escaping.
No one has been arrested so far.
Isiolo KWS Senior Warden Michael Gichure said rangers have been dispatched and are following crucial leads in an attempt to arrest the suspects.
“The tourists we get in our parks are particularly coming to see the few Grévy's zebra we have.
“It is unfortunate that they were killed by the same people who benefit from their existence,” said Mr Gichure.
The Grévy's zebra, also known as the imperial zebra, is the largest extant wild member of the horse family and the largest and most endangered of the three species of zebras.
The incident comes amid reports that wild animals are endangered in the parks following rampant cases of cattle rustling in the game reserve.
Recent statistics show that the park is home to about 3,000 Grévy's zebras.
Mr Rutto urged the county government to fence its parks to restrain poachers and herders from entering.
