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Police arrest 'most wanted' ivory smuggler in Tanzania | Police arrest 'most wanted' ivory smuggler in Tanzania |
(3 days later) | |
A Kenyan businessman suspected of being behind an international ivory smuggling ring has been arrested in Tanzania. | A Kenyan businessman suspected of being behind an international ivory smuggling ring has been arrested in Tanzania. |
Police said that Feisal Mohamed Ali was linked to a three tonne haul of elephant tusks seized in the Kenyan city of Mombasa. | Police said that Feisal Mohamed Ali was linked to a three tonne haul of elephant tusks seized in the Kenyan city of Mombasa. |
Mr Ali had been in hiding for months and was on an Interpol most-wanted list for ivory traffickers. | Mr Ali had been in hiding for months and was on an Interpol most-wanted list for ivory traffickers. |
Elephant poaching has risen across Africa in recent years, fuelled in part by increasing demand from China. | Elephant poaching has risen across Africa in recent years, fuelled in part by increasing demand from China. |
In June, Kenyan police mounted a raid and discovered ivory equivalent to more than 100 poached elephants. | In June, Kenyan police mounted a raid and discovered ivory equivalent to more than 100 poached elephants. |
Since then Ali had been on the run, according to the AFP news agency, and was listed as an "environment criminal" by Interpol before his arrest. | Since then Ali had been on the run, according to the AFP news agency, and was listed as an "environment criminal" by Interpol before his arrest. |
The Kenya Wildlife Service says poachers have killed 142 elephants in the country this year. | The Kenya Wildlife Service says poachers have killed 142 elephants in the country this year. |
A spokesman said the figure was down from 302 last year, due in part to anti-poaching laws. | A spokesman said the figure was down from 302 last year, due in part to anti-poaching laws. |
But in Tanzania, where Mr Ali was arrested, around 10,000 elephants were killed last year. | But in Tanzania, where Mr Ali was arrested, around 10,000 elephants were killed last year. |
Conservationists say demand from wealthy buyers in China is fuelling the problem. | Conservationists say demand from wealthy buyers in China is fuelling the problem. |
In November, an environmentalist group accused officials travelling with Chinese President Xi Jinping of going on an ivory shopping spree during a visit to Tanzania. | In November, an environmentalist group accused officials travelling with Chinese President Xi Jinping of going on an ivory shopping spree during a visit to Tanzania. |
The delegation reportedly purchased so many products in a local market that prices soared, according to the group's report. | The delegation reportedly purchased so many products in a local market that prices soared, according to the group's report. |
Both Tanzanian and Chinese officials rejected the allegation. | Both Tanzanian and Chinese officials rejected the allegation. |
Researchers believe that since 2010 an average of nearly 35,000 elephants have been killed annually in Africa. | Researchers believe that since 2010 an average of nearly 35,000 elephants have been killed annually in Africa. |
They warn that if the rate of poaching continues, the animals could be virtually wiped out within 10 years. |
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