Three arrested for poisoning elephants

Security agencies including UPDF, police and officials from Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) in collaboration with Natural Resource Conservation Network (NRCN), are investigating the killing of an 85 year old elephant found dead at Karuma Wildlife Reserve in Murchison Falls National Park in Kiryandongo district.

The elephant was weighed about 6000kg according to officials from Wildlife Reserve in Murchison Falls Conservation Area. The elephant was found dead on 2nd February after which the operation was mounted.

The elephant in its advanced decomposing stage was believed to have been poisoned three weeks back because there were no visible bullet wounds as the UWA officials took a close look to the carcass.

Three people found in possession of elephant tusks at Karuma Town weighing about 45kg were immediately arrested on suspicion of the killing the elephant.    

(L-R) The three suspected poachers Nicholas Ayoma, Stephen Alyon and Abibu Kazomi.

Those detained at Kiryandongo police station are Nicholas Ayoma, 25, a resident of Abindo village, Diima parish in Mutunda sub county, Stephen Alyon, 35, a resident of Ayuda village and Abibu Kazomi.

They will be charged with poaching according to Natural Resource Conservation Network (NRCN) officer Laban Muhindo.

"They are waiting to appear in court," he said.

He added that to kill the vice and break the international racket involved in ivory trade, it needs working together with UWA, Police, Interpol, the Army, the Judiciary and URA.

"Elephant poaching in Africa is a well-coordinated move and organized crime involving unknown rich, lots of monies. To fight against this vice will require concerted efforts," he explained.

He blamed the communities for being involved in the killing of the elephants saying it is among the biggest problems in the country.

Upon his arrest Ayoma admitted that he got the contraband from the elephant's decomposing carcass about 1500 meters from his home.