East Africa has been in the news a great deal this past week, with several important stories about elephants and ivory, as well as a large amount of media interest in the July 16 PLoS ONE paper by African Conservation Centre researchers on the challenge of protecting Kenyan wildlife.

With elephant numbers both on the increase and at increased risk to poaching, the important message in Dr. David Western's PLoS paper - that there must be additional measures taken to protect wildlife besides just setting aside more parks - is particularly topical. Community-based initiatives and incentives are key, he said.

NAIROBI  - Tuesday, July 21, 2009 (The Ethiopian Review) -  Kenya's elephant population has doubled following the international ban on trade of wildlife products. But Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) is warning the gain, which saw the number of elephants rise to 32,000 from 16,000 in 1989, could be wiped out due to increased poaching prompted by the lifting of the partial ban in some African countries recently. . . .  Full story>>

NAIROBI - Saturday, July 18, 2009 (AP) -  Kenyan wildlife officials called today for an end to the ivory trade worldwide, saying a one-off sale two years ago led to a spike in the number of elephants killed in Africa..  . . .  Full story>>

NAIROBI - Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (Los Angeles Times / AP) - Kenya seized more than 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of illegal ivory and black rhinoceros horn -  some of it still bloody - on a cargo plane headed to Asia on Tuesday, wildlife officials said.. . .  Full story>>

Links to stories about the PLoS ONE paper:

Christian Science Monitor

Science Daily

Conservation Magazine, Society of Conservation Biology

Thai Indian News

The Examiner

Medical News Today

Legal Planet blog

Physorg Science News