Ivory poachers transporting 703 kilograms (1,550 lbs) of whole and partially chopped tusks were apprehended on Saturday, 24th April, at Mbirikani in the eastern part of the Amboseli ecosystem.

The Kenya Police from Oloitokitok, led by Insp. Charles Mwangi, laid ambush on the Oloitokitok-Emali road and nabbed a late-model 4-by-4 loaded to the gunnels with tusks, most of which probably came from up to 50 Amboseli elephants.

Two men, one Tanzanian and one Kenyan, were apprehended. Six more escaped in unclear circumstances. Astonishingly, the poachers' vehicle sported a security car pass to the last session of Kenya's parliament. We will watch closely as the investigation unfolds.

ATE senior staff, Soila Sayialel and Norah Njiraini, were on the scene shortly after the arrest to help with identification and interpretation.

But meanwhile, as horrible is the thought that some of the tusks could belong to the splendid bull Ganesh or Echo's son, Ely, or the impressive long-tusked Theodora from the TD family that has been spending more time in Kimana than Amboseli over the last decade, it appears that our concerns have been vindicated when Cynthia reported in February on increased poaching for ivory in Amboseli.

Perhaps now authorities will take seriously the twin threat to Africa's elephants: the one-off sale of ivory from southern African stockpiles to China, combined with the presense of Chinese roadgangs in the ecosystem.

Local news media immediately picked up the story. Here's a cut from the KTN nine o'clock news Saturday evening, the 25th of April...