Three wildlife rangers and four suspected poachers have been killed in a gun battle in a remote Kenyan district where poaching activities are common, wildlife officials said on Saturday.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said in a statement issued in Nairobi that seven rangers patrolling the Tana River District were attacked by an unknown number of armed men.

"The Kenya Wildlife Service regrets to announce the death of three rangers who have been gunned down by bandits during an operation in Tana Tiver district,"KWS spokesman Paul Udoto said in a statement. "During the fierce exchange of fire, the rangers killed four poachers while others escaped with injuries," it said.

Udoto said two AK47 assault rifles and two axes were recovered and rangers were pursuing several suspected poachers.

The KWS spokesman said another ranger was seriously wounded in the gunfight that took place at 0200 local time (2300 GMT).

The east African nation has been hailed for its efforts in combating the trade in elephant tusks and other animal parts that is a big business for poachers in East Africa.

The trade in ivory is banned under international treaty and Kenya has been opposed to calls for a partial lifting of the ban. It is lobbying other African nations to impose a 20-year global ban on trade in ivory in Africa.

Last year the KWS said it broke up an international syndicate dealing in ivory and other illegal animal products.

Source: Xinhua