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 June 2024. During the month the Mobile South team was on annual leave whilst the Ziwani, Ithumba, Mtito, Kajiado and Thabagunji teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
18,837
58 Arrests made:
27,678
89 Elephant ivory (kg):
1391 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
JUNE 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
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG
JUNE 2024
During the month of June the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1382 snares and made 58 arrests including 11 arrests for poaching activities, arrested 4 loggers, 7 miraa harvesters, 8 charcoal burners, 17 livestock herders, 2 shermen, and 8 rewood collectors. The teams also con scated bows and poisoned arrows, lamping equipment and torches, and charcoal burning tools They also found and disposed of 29kg of bushmeat including dikdik, gerenuk and sh. Other bushmeat carcasses con scated from poachers included guineafowls, bustards, dikdiks and elephant shrews.
During the month, the teams destroyed 2 livestock bomas, 29 charcoal kilns and 5 charcoal camps, and 26poachers hides/camps. 4 elephant carcasses were also discovered and 89kg of ivory was con scated and handed over to KWS for safekeeping.
The teams also supported the SWT/KWS Vet Units responding to 6 veterinary treatments involving 5 injured elephants and 1 zebra.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
JUNE 2024
ARRESTS MADE
JUNE 2024
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
JUNE 2024
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/6/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported the KWS/SWT Vet Unit in treating an injured elephant
6/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
Another elephant treatment took place with the support of the team
29/06/2024 CHARCOAL KILN
The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Burra team lifted snares from wildlife paths set by bushmeat poachers
8/06/2024 INJURED ZEBRA TREAMENT
The team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured zebra
29/06/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team removed the tusks from a fresh elephant carcass found by the teams
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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:
19/06/2024 BUSHMEAT
The team found bushmeat hidden in a homestead bordering the park
21/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found evidence of illegal logging in the conservation area
24/06/2024 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
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging and rewood collection site
18/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site and arrested a man found in possession of freshly cut logs
19/06/2024 ILLEGAL FISHING
The team arrested a sherman in the park with sh and lines
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of small wire snares set along wildlife paths by bushmeat poachers
13/06/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
An elephant carcass was discovered and the team removed its tusks to handover to KWS for safekeeping
19/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported the KWS/SWT Mobile Vet Unit in treating an injured elephant
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/06/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of livestock from the protected area and arrested a gang of herders
15/06/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a bush re in the park believed to have been started by livestock herders
21/06/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
30 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team attended to the discovery of an elephant carcass and removed the tusks to handover to KWS
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East
30
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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:
15/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the forest set by bushmeat poachers
15/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team apprehended two men found logging in the forest
29/06/2024 TREEPLANTING
The team joined up with other organisations and the local communities in a tree planting exercise to replenish degraded areas of the forest
Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/06/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of cattle from the park and arrested a gang of herders
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West
30/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an elephant with an injury to its side
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set by bushmeat poachers and removed them from the park
7/06/2024 FIREWOOD COLLECTION
The team apprehended a group of women collecting rewood from the park
8/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set by bushmeat poachers and removed them from the park
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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: Chyulu Hills
23/6/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
26/6/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
28/6/2024 FIREWOOD COLLECTION
The team apprehended a group of women in the park collecting rewood
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
17/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Kenze team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
23/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found more snares in the greater Chyulu Hills area and removed them before they could trap any wild animals
29/06/2024 TREE PLANTING
The team participated in a tree planting exercise along with the KWS and communities
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/06/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of cattle from the conservation area and arrested herders
16/06/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher operating in the conservation area with fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/06/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested two women harvesting miraa in the park
21/06/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested 2 more miraa harvesters operating in the park
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
27/06/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested another miraa harvester
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/06/2024 FIREWOOD COLLECTION
The team found a fresh elephant carcass believed to have died from natural causes and removed the ivory to handover to KWS for safekeeping
9/06/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with fresh bushmeat, poaching tools and a bicycle
27/06/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested another bushmeat poacher caught operating in the conservation area
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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:
23/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
26/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of snares during the month set by bushmeat poachers on wildlife paths
28/06/2024 POACHER'S CAMP
The team found a replace with a bow and arrows probably used by an elephant poacher
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
25/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of wire snares from the conservation area
28/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested 2loggers found operating in the protected area
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team in Meru National Park lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers
14/06/2024 HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT
The team attended to an urgent situation with a hippo in community land. Sadly the hippo was killed during the con ict
24/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Meru National Park
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large wire snares from the park
19/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team worked with the SWT/KWS Vet Unit to treat an injured elephant
23/06/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported another elephant treatment with an injury to its abdomen
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/06/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 men caught with a large consignment of bushmeat and lamping tools
8/06/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team discovered a recent elephant carcass, which was believed to have died from natural causes It's tusks were removed and handed over to KWS for safekeeping
16/06/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man caught with a consignment of bushmeat and lamping tools
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
21/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
27/06/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
A logging site was found in the conservation area
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the conservation area set by bushmeat poachers
13/06/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team destroyed a charcoal kiln found in the park
23/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the conservation area set by bushmeat poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/06/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a gang of charcoal burners operating in the protected area
15/06/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed more charcoal kilns and made further arrests
30/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed several small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers from the conservation area
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a few old snares from the park
25/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a sack of wire used for snaring hidden near the riverbank
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team removed small snares from the conservation area
15/06/2024 CROCODILE TRANSLOCATION
A crocodile that was causing problems in the community was captured and translocated back into the safety of the park
20/06/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found more snares in the park
30 Days on duty: Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
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
