WildlifeDirect (Kenya)

P.O Box 24467 Code 00502

Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 (0)705133509

25 November 2014, Nairobi

Press Statement
WildlifeDirect Welcomes Statement by Cabinet Secretary Judi Wakhungu on Destruction of
Ivory Stockpiles in Kenya
The Chairman of WildlifeDirect Kenya, Philip Murgor, and the CEO of WildlifeDirect, Dr Paula
Kahumbu, would like to strongly support the cabinet secretary for environment , water and natural
resources, Judi Wakhungu, for her statement and stand in regard to ivory stockpiles in Kenya.
"At WildlifeDirect, we are very pleased that the minister has openly advocated for the destruction of
ivory stockpiles in Kenya," said Dr Kahumbu. "We agree with the minister, that the only way of
stopping the ivory from getting into the market is by destroying it. Our elephants are facing
extinction, and we must do that it takes to conserve them, not just for us but as a world heritage".
The cabinet secretary was quoted in a media report this week, saying that ivory stockpiles should be
destroyed to keep them from getting back into the market, adding that the move will deter the
supply and demand for ivory.
On his part, the chairman Philip Murgor said that Kenya had demonstrated leadership and courage
to go against the grain in the late 80s, when the then president Daniel Moi destroyed 12 tonnes of
ivory in order to persuade the world to end trade in ivory.
"This bold move worked in the 90s. Elephant numbers began to rise across the continent. It can
work again, and the current trend of 35,000 elephants killed every year in Africa can be reversed.
We are very pleased that the current leadership appreciates the significance of destroying ivory
stockpiles".
-ENDFor more information, please contact Dr Paula Kahumbu on 0722 685 106 or Bertha
Kang'ong'oi on 0720 712 730.