The US government has hailed the Malawi government for its commitment in preserving wildlife by destroying 2.6 tons of ivory worth MK5 billion.

The exercise took place on Monday at Mzuzu High Court premises and the exercise was witnessed by wildlife international bodies, the army and parks officials.

In a message posted on US Embassy Facebook page, the Britons said the destruction of 2.6 tons of ivory sends a clear message to ivory traffickers and their customers that Malawi will not tolerate illegal wildlife trade.

“Congratulations to Malawi on the destruction of 2.6 tons of ivory this morning, sending a clear message to ivory traffickers and their customers that Malawi will not tolerate illegal wildlife trade,” read the statement in part.

African elephant populations have declined by about 20 percent in the last decade to just over 400.

Meanwhile the decision to burn the said ivory has attracted mixed reactions from the general public with with others describing it as a lose to the country’s economy.