SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Report May 2024

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S H E L D R I C K W I L D L I F E T R U S T A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE MAY 2024 REPORT

MAY 2024

Monthly Overview

Operated in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Anti-Poaching Teams monitor for illegal activity and support all manner of eld operations

This report details all Anti-Poaching Unit activities for May 2024. During the month the Mobile North and Dakadima teams were on annual leave whilst the Yatta, Chyulu Mobile, Sobo, Meru, Shompole, Kulalu II, Chyulu and Umbi teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.

MONTH AT A GLANCE:

Kilometres covered on patrol:

13,094

47 Arrests made:

27,678

3 Injured elephant treatments:

403 Snares conscated:

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ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES

MAY 2024

We currently operate 28 Anti-Poaching Teams with the KWS throughout Kenya. 22 teams are based in the greater Tsavo Conservation Area, collectively securing Kenya’s largest national park and the surrounding wilderness One team is based in Meru National Park, which provides sanctuary to critically endangered black and white rhinos. Under the direction of Mara Elephant Project, we also fund 2 teams based in the Mau Forest, an important water catchment area in the Rift Valley. In 2023, we expanded our anti-poaching presence to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Shimba Hills, which are two of the last remaining coastal strongholds for elephants

While each team works within a designated region, many also work on a rotating, mobile basis, providing continuous coverage when other teams are on leave This helps to ensure a constant level of vigilance in Kenya’s most vulnerable ecosystems

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ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG

he most. ession of rewood acks or mps, and injured

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MAY 2024

ARRESTS MADE

S W T/ K
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MAY 2024

INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS

MAY 2024

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KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

8/5/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team arrested a man found making charcoal in the park

15/05/2024 BUSHMEAT CAMP

An active bushmeat camp was found and destroyed Sadly the poachers escaped

24/05/2024 CHARCOAL KILN

The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it

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Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
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BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

5/5/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The Burra team lifted snares from wildlife paths set by bushmeat poacers

28/05/2024 INJURED ZEBRA TREAMENT

The team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured zebra calf

29/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted more snares from the conservation area

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East

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8
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KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

30 Days on duty:

21/05/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER

The team arrested a bushmeat poacher found setting snares in the park

25/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team found evidence of illegal logging in the conservation area

26/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team found more wire snares set by bushmeat poachers and removed them from the park

Patrol areas:

Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches

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MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

12/5/2024 ILLEGAL FIREWOOD COLLECTION

The Mobile South team evicted a group of community members from the park who were caught harvesting rewood

20/5/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT

The team supported the Tsavo Vet Unit in treating a young injured elephant spotted by the SWT Aerial Unit

24/5/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team removed wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park

Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:

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LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

3/05/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION

The team evicted a large herd of livestock from the protected area

19/05/2024 FIREFIGHTING

The team fought a bushre in the park believed to have been started by livestock herders

26/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park

Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:

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14
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YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

26/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team removed a number of small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park

28/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted more snares from the conservation area

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East

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16
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CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

Days on duty:

22/5/2024 MIRAA HARVESTERS

The team arrested 2 miraa harvesters with sacks of miraa in the park

30/5/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted a number of small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park

30/5/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team found a logging site in the forest

Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:

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ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Tsavo West

5/5/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln

19/05/2024 FIREFIGHTING

The team fought a re in the park, which was believed to have been started by livestock herders

22/05/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION

The team arrested a large gang of livestock herders in the park and evicted the livestock

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THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

15/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team found a number of medium wire snares set by bushmeat poachers and removed them from the park

18/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted more snares from the park

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duty: Galana Conservancy & Thabangunji Patrol
on
areas:
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MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

9/5/2024 MIRAA

HARVESTING

The Mukururo team arrested a man with a sack of freshly harvested miraa

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Chyulu Hills

92/5/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER

The team arrested a man believed to be bushmeat poaching in the conservation area

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KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

6/05/2024 FIREWOOD COLLECTION

The Kenze team found a rewood collection site in the forest

11/05/2024 ILLEGAL CAMPSITE

The team found a recently used campsite

25/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

Snares were lifted from the conversation area, which were set by bushmeat poachers to trap small animals

Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:

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26
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SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

24/05/2024 ILLEGAL FISHING

The team found and destroyed a makeshift raft made by shermen

25/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team removed wire snares set by poachers

30/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team found a charcoal kiln and destroyed it

Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:

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28
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CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

22/05/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING

The team arrested a man harvesting miraa in the park

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Chyulu Hills

31/05/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING

The team arrested 2 more miraa harvesters operating in the park

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KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

18/05/2024 FIREWOOD COLLECTION

The team found a rewood collection site and destroyed it

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area

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ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

14/05/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT

The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with a shoulder wound

15/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted a number of snares during the month set by bushmeat poachers on wildlife paths

30/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it

30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:

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KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

5./05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team arrested a logger transporting hard wood out of the forest

10/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team arrested more loggers found operating in the protected area

26/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team found another logging site and destroyed it

Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:

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MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

25/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team in Meru National Park lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers

26/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted more large snares from the park

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Meru National Park

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TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

14/05/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT

The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with an injury to its shoulder

14/05/2024 ELEPHANT CONFLICT

The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to move elephants from community lands back into the park

20/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team found snares set by bushmeat poachers operating in the area

30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:

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KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

13/05/2024 LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted small snares set up poachers in the park

19/05/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER

The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with fresh meat and snares

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area

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KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

3/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team arrested a man found logging in the park

21/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team found a logging site in the park and destroyed it

30/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The arrested a group of rewood collectors and loggers in the park

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve

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SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

21/05/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT

The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with a would to its abdomen

28/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team destroyed a charcoal kiln found in the park

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Central Tsavo East

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UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

26/05/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING

The team arrested a bushmeat poacher found with poaching tools and fresh meat

28/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team discovered a charcoal camp and arrested 4 charcoal burners

30/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The team found and destroyed another charcoal kiln and arrested 1 charcoal burner

Patrol areas:

Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui

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MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

3/05/2024 ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION

The team helped the Vet Unit translocate an elephant trapped in community lands and move it to the safety of the Park

28/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team arrested a man logging in the park

30/05/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING

The team found a large logging site in the park and destroyed it

Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:

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50
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TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM

MAY 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS

The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month

4/05/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING

The Tsavo Mobile team, on its rst month of patrol, discovered a charcoal kiln and destroyed it

22/05/2024

LIFTING SNARES

The team lifted small snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park

28/05/2024

LIFTING SNARES

The team found more snares in the park

Days on duty: Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:

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SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams, as with all Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's conservation projects, is a donor-funded initiative Thank you to our global supporters, who help us secure Kenya's habitats for the future and make an impact in the eld, each and every day

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©
2024 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

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