KENYA Wildlife Service officers in Keiyo district have rescued a rare and endangered species of ground male Pangolin believed to have been poached from Rimoi Game Reserve in Kerio Valley. During the rescue mission, the wildlife officials arrested one poacher while two others escaped.

Elgeyo/Marakwet deputy warden John Ngalia said that game wardens acting on a tip off ambushed the three poachers on their way to the market within Iten town. He said the poachers who have a broker within Iten town are responsible for the declining number of wild animals at Rimoi Game Reserve and have launched a manhunt for the suspects who escaped and the broker. It is said that the broker has a link with outside markets.

Ngalia added that the arrest was a major boost in the fight against poaching on the sprawling game reserve which is yet to be fully exploited. Area MP Lucas Chepkitony who visited KWS offices to see the rare animal commended the wardens for rescuing it and urged area residents to report such cases to law enforcers so that wildlife can be protected. Chepkitony said the fencing of Rimoi Game Reserve will help ward off poachers and illegal grazers.

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