A fire fighter stands on guard near the ivory burning site to prevent the fire from spreading. Photo by Hou Liqiang/China Daily

"The approach has been tested and proven. Kenya has recorded an 80 percent reduction of poaching in the last three years," he said.

On his part, Bongo, who burned his country's stockpile three years ago, gave a stern warning to poachers and traders, noting that central Africa has seen much of its herds wiped out in the last decade.

"Gabon housed half of the total number of elephants remaining in the region. We have to stop poaching because the vice is feeding insecurity and social unrest in the continent," he said.