The Uganda Wildlife Authority is hunting for poachers and traders in ivory following the recovery of pieces of elephant ivory hidden in sacks of beans at Kasuba in Kampala.

The police deployed on the Masaka Road at Kasuba stumbled on the ivory during a routine check on June 18th. The ivory was handed over to UWA. Most of the ivory looked old but some pieces had fresh stains of blood suggesting that illegal killing of elephants is still taking place, UWA's law enforcement coordinator observed. The consignment is suspected to have originated from the DR Congo. This incident comes two months after pieces of hippo teeth and elephant ivory were impounded after a similar discovery by Uganda Revenue Authority officials.

Trade in ivory is banned according to national and international laws on wildlife. the elephants are listed internationally as endangered species. There is concern that illegal killing of elephants could easily spread into the country if anti-poaching measures are not tightened.

(Original article by Gerald Tenywa,  New Vision, 29th June 2009)

Comment -  UCF supports the Uganda Wildlife Authority in its work to prevent illegal activities such as this and seeks to reduce conflict between humans and wildlife. UCF is also involved in a project to build a worldwide database of elephant DNA to enable confiscated ivory to be traced back to its origins and focus anti-poaching measures. Your donations will help this work.