Four people have been arrested by police for their involvement in the brutal killing of an elephant at Vamboi in the Sissala East District of the Upper West Region.

The suspects, who are believed to be hunters, reportedly shot and removed the tusks of the middle-aged male elephant on 13 April 2020.

The suspects, whose names had been withheld due to the ongoing investigations into the incident, were apprehended following a joint operation by a team of personnel from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and policemen.

Addressing the press in Accra May 28, Executive Director of the Forestry Commission’s Wildlife Division, Bernard Asamoah-Boateng condemned the killing of the elephant, adding that the law should deal with the perpetrators of the crime.

Asamoah-Boateng added that the suspects who are currently in the police custody pending investigations are expected to be arraigned before court soon.

“Despite the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, our staff is still working tirelessly on the ground to protect our forest reserves” Asamamoah-Boateng emphasised.

He also cautioned poachers and the residents of communities along the forest reserves to desist from the killing of protected animals in forests in the Sissala East District and other parts of the country.

He commended staff of the Wildlife Division for their efforts in apprehending the suspects who engaged in such illegalities.

Asamoah-Boateng stated that his men along the forest reserves will continue to intensify their operations to bring such perpetrators to book.

He advised the public to report people who engage in illegal hunting within their catchment areas to the appropriate authorities.