Kenya targeted in global march against poaching
A global march demanding action to stop rhino and elephant poaching will be held across 125 cities on October 4, organisers announced on Thursday.
Between 10,000 and 20,000 protesters are expected to turn out for the march in Johannesburg, calling for stiffer penalties against poachers and traffickers of ivory and rhino horns.
They will hand petitions to the embassies of 19 countries, including China and Kenya, accused of failing to take sufficient action to combat the problem.
"More than 35,000 elephants are killed every year in Africa for their tusks," said Dex Kotze, coordinator of the global march.
In South Africa alone, "we’ve already lost about 700 rhinos to poachers this year," he said.
Rome, Madrid, London and New York are among the other cities where protests are planned.
"We need to change the law," said Kotze. "You cannot bypass the port of Mombasa, Zanzibar or Maputo without corrupt officials.
"Wildlife crime is estimated at $20 billion a year," and "terrorist organisations like Al-Shabaab are using ivory trafficking and exchange ivory for weapons."
