WildlifeDirect opposes the lifting of Hunting Ban in Botswana
WildlifeDirect does not support the reversal of the Hunting ban in Botswana though we recognize that it is their so sovereign right to manage elephants domestically.
Showdown looming at CITES
Eastern and Southern Africa will take the next Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to another ugly argument about ivory trade. They are pitching for a big fight. Kenya and her 'friends' want to transfer all elephants to be on Appendix I, which will send a clear message - NO IVORY TRADE for anyone.
Another trafficker walks free
Another suspected trafficker of elephant ivory is set free by a magistrate at Mombasa Law Courts. Directly charged for the trafficking of 1097kgs of elephant ivory in two containers in December 2016, Mr. Gitonga walks out of court a free man.
Thousands of Kenyans March for Wildlife
Thousands of people from all walks of life today joined conservation partners and the government to raise their voices against extinction and champion the protection of wildlife in what is considered to be the biggest Global March For Elephants, Rhinos, Lions and other endangered species. Global March is an annual worldwide event that takes place in more than 130 countries - including Kenya - which hosted the largest march in the world in 2017.
Wildlife Warriors, New TV Series, Celebrates African Conservation Heroes
A new weekly series called Wildlife Warriors will premiere on East Africa’s largest channel, Citizen TV, on Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5PM. Development of this series was funded by the U.S. Government, through USAID, in partnership with U.S. Department of the Interior, Wild Lives Foundation, and National Geographic.
Tanzania court sentence ‘Ivory Queen’ to 15 years in jail
A Tanzanian court has sentenced Yang Fen Glan popularly known as ‘Ivory Queen’ to 15 years in jail. The 69 year old Chinese national, was charged along with two Tanzanians with offenses of unlawful dealing in collecting, selling and transporting more than 706 pieces of elephant tusks weighing 1889 kilograms in 2014.
From ivory queen to jail bird
A court in Tanzania has convicted and sentenced Yang Feng Glan, infamously named ‘The Ivory Queen’ and two of her associates to 15 years in prison. This is welcomed news signaling an end to a 5 year protracted case where Ms. Yang and two Tanzanians were charged with economic crimes for trafficking in more than 706 pieces of elephant tusks in 2014.
WildlifeDirect announces the release of a new report showcasing the state of wildlife crime cases in Kenya
WildlifeDirect announces the release of a new report showcasing the state of wildlife crime cases in Kenya. WildlifeDirect has been monitoring wildlife crime cases in Kenyan courts since 2008. Through Eyes in the Courtroom project; we provide the only nation-wide publicly available review of Kenya’s wildlife law enforcement response.
Celebrating young wildlife warriors
On August 30, WildlifeDirect hosted Richard Turere and Tiassa Mutunkei, two amazing youth who represent the younger generation in Kenya that are passionate about conserving our wildlife. Over the years, WildlifeDirect has walked with these young wildlife warriors over the years and supported them in their quest to pursue conservation goals and inspire others to follow suit.
Court sets free convicted ivory trafficker Feisal Mohamed Ali
Today the Kenyan Criminal Justice system failed. Feisal Mohamed Ali who was convicted of trafficking in illegal elephant tusks today walks free. In July 2016, Feisal was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and fined of 20 million shillings for trafficking in 2,152 kilograms of elephant ivory. Feisal’s case began in December 2014 after he apprehended in Tanzania through an INTERPOL led swoop. At this time Feisal was the most wanted ivory trafficker in the world with Interpol giving a red notice against him.