In a bid to curb the scourge of poaching, the Kenya Wildlife Service (Kws) has decided to equip all 52 national parks with drones capable of monitoring elephants as they move, using radio frequencies. The news of the killing of six elephants in Tsavo National Park broke this week.

The decision was taken following the success of a pilot project that recorded a drop in poaching of up to 96 per cent. The plan costs 103 million dollars (approximately 75 million euros) and will be supported by the United States, the Netherlands, France and Canada alongside the Nairobi government.

According to Paul Udoto, spokesman for the Kws, "drones are able to identify poachers before they even kill an animal. We have tried many other security measures, but so far we have failed. With these technologies it is possible to maintain aerial surveillance and check whether there is any poaching activity."

In addition to the drones, the plan includes increasing the number of rangers working in the national parks from the current 975 to 1,600, as well as the introduction of training courses. New equipment will also be purchased, such as firearms, bulletproof vests and gear to patrol the territory at night.