Leading ivory trade investigator murdered in Kenya

NAIROBI: A world-renowned ivory investigator whose detailed reports contributed to the fight against elephant poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, was killed at his home in Kenya, police said.

Esmond Bradley Martin, a 76year-old American geographer who had lived in Kenya for decades, died after being stabbed in the neck at his house in the Nairobi suburb of Langata on Sunday afternoon, police said.

“We have four suspects in custody,” Nairobi Police Chief Japheth Koome said.

He did not give further details as to their identities or suspected role. Martin focused on the demand end of the illegal rhino and ivory supply chain, describing, quantifying and analysing the Asian markets in China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Laos and elsewhere.

His ground breaking investigations, often co-authored with researcher Lucy Vigne, are credited with contributing to China’s decision to close its legal ivory markets last year, said Paula Kahumbu, a leading Kenyan elephant expert and chief executive of Wildlife Direct, a conservation group.

“He was one of the most important people at the forefront of exposing the ivory trade, addressing the traffickers and dealers themselves,” Kahumbu said.

Iain Douglas-Hamilton of Save the Elephants, a conservation and research organisation that funded and published Martin’s reports over many years, described him, as “one of conservation’s great unsung heroes.” — AFP