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 con scated:
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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:
6
7
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
9
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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12
13
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 bush re 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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30
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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18
19
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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20
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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:
22
23
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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30
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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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12
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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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36
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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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30
42
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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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30
44
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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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46
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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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30
52
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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