Why Kenya, Tanzania must step up protection of their elephants

Dorothy Lowakutuk, an elephant keeper at Reteti Elephant community sanctuary in Samburu County. She never envisioned a career as a baby-sitter. But finding herself unemployed and in need of a job, she came across an unusual work opportunity: Taking care of orphaned baby elephants at the sanctuary. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

Monday 12 August is World Elephant Day. Until last November, Kenya and Tanzania have taken a joint policy approach to protect these massive mammals who freely cross our borders without so much as an ETR visa.

With thousands currently petitioning the government of Tanzania to reverse the lifting of the "no kill ban" and a new Kenyan Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, how can the two governments better protect the world's gentlest of giants?