Wildlife ministers in east Africa on Thursday called for closer cross-border cooperation to combat illegal trade in wild products and also to curb the plunder of fauna and flora across the continent.

"The illegal trade is threatening some of our wildlife resources that we are calling for cooperation with other states to provide effective measures to combat the trade," Kenya's Tourism and Wildlife Minister Morris Dzoro told ministers in charge of wildlife and tourism from Tanzania and Zambia.

The ministers from the three countries, who were meeting in Nairobi under the aegis of the Governing Council of the Lusaka Agreement -- a treaty aimed at combating illegal wildlife trade, resolved that sharing information on illegal trade was important for continued protection of the wild.

Dzoro said Kenya has also successfully undertaken a cross- border field operation and has gathered intelligence information on the illegal trade that have resulted in the arrest of criminals and recovery of wildlife products.

"Kenyan government is totally committed towards ensuring that the objectives of the Lusaka Agreement and other biodiversity- related conventions are implemented," he said.

The President of Lusaka Agreement and Zambian Deputy Wildlife Minister Kabinga Pande said it was important for the national bureaus to ensure that the resources are available to enable the task force attain its objectives and participate fully in the implementation of its programs.

"As a continent we have a big task ahead which calls for our dedication and active participation, and our wealth of experience will provide an impetus for charting a vibrant future for the task force and the agreement," Pande said.

Source: Xinhua