If more than 92% of Kenya’s total landmass will remain unprotected with the country’s latest anti-poaching strategies, will this effort really curb economic rewards derived from a currently “sanctioned” industry? New anti-poaching teams are set to be deployed to key areas such as protected national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries and while these are critical refuge for key tourism dollars, these areas only comprise roughly 8% of the country’s wild land space. One must ask if the new task force is large enough to actually be effective in these key areas. With the statistics in mind, it seems obvious that the efforts made by private wildlife conservation groups are vital to the protection of Kenya's wildlife. Conservation initiatives that direct and support local public communities is pertinent and may help to curb a so-called necessity to aid poachers in exchange for material or monetary compensation. Clearly the joining of efforts by these private organizations with government initiatives must be also be in alignment. Only time will tell whether the country, the public and these private organizations unite to preserve a vital aspect of the country's economic future. Unfortunately, time seems to be running out for Kenya's wild elephants and rhino.

See the recent article in allAfrica:

Today, Kenya Wildlife Service manages approximately 8 percent of the total landmass of Kenya that consists of 22 national parks, 29 national reserves and 4 national sanctuaries including 6 marine national reserves and four marine national parks. In 2012, the country lost 384 elephants and 29 rhinos to poaching. So far in 2013, more than 190 elephants and 34 rhinos have been lost. The recently unveiled inter-agency anti-poaching unit comprising officers from specialised elements of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Administration Police and the General Service Unit is said to strengthen the fight against poaching. In addition, tougher penalties and legislation are set to help curb poacher appetites. <a href="http://allafrica.com/stories/201308190016.html?viewall=1" rel="nofollow">http://allafrica.com/stories/201308190016.html?viewall=1</a>