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 August 2024. During the month the Jipe and Kwale teams were on annual leave whilst the Tiva, Kenze, Meru, Kulalu, Mukururo, Kapangani, Burra, Kichwa Tembo and Tsavo Mobile teams worked part of the month. The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
18,463
56 Arrests made:
27,678
23 Elephant ivory (kg):
942 Snares con scated:
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. We have also 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
During the month of August the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 942 snares and made 56 arrests including 7 arrests for poaching activities and 5 arrests for possession of bushmeat, 17 livestock herders, 1 logger, 3 miraa harvesters, 5 charcoal burners, 11 rewood collectors and 7 arrests for illegal entry.
During the month, the teams destroyed 31 livestock bomas, 31 charcoal kilns and 11 charcoal camps (including 42 charcoal sacks), along with 47 harbors/hides/camps. At other sites, 28 logs, 12 wooden posts and 11kg of miraa were also con scated from the protected areas 2 elephant carcasses were also discovered along with 23kg of ivory
The teams also supported the SWT/KWS Vet Units responding to 4 veterinary treatments involving 4 injured elephants. 2 elephant rescues were also attended to during the month along with 2 cases of Human-Elephant Con ict.
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
AUGUST 2024
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/8/2024 ELEPHANT IVORY
The team found a broken piece of elephant ivory and handed it over to KWS for safekeeping
19/08/2024 CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found a charcoal camp and destroyed it
31/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
Small snares were lifted from the park. These are set by bushmeat poachers to catch small animals like dikdik
30 Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/08/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted several snares set by poachers within the conservation area
5/08/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with a leg wound
10/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHERS
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers with fresh bushhmeat
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 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:
12/08/2024 ELEPHANT IVORY
The team found a charcoal burning site with large piles of illegally logged wood in the park
16/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a logging site and destroyed it
28/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of small and medium snares from the park during the month
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man with a small quantity of bushmeat and lamping tools
27/08/2024 CATTLE INTRUSION
The team found and evicted cattle from the park
28/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found a camp with fresh bushmeat probably belonging to the herders who ed after their livestock was found
12 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team collected snares during the month set by bushmeat poachers
25/08/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old carcass of a young elephant with its tusks intact. The tusks were removed and handed over to KWS
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team lifted snares laid by poachers on wildlife paths
9/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher in his camp with poaching tools and fresh dikdik carcasses
24/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/08/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported the Tsavo Vet Unit treating an injured elephant
9/08/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found and evicted livestock from the park
30/08/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted more livestock from the park, arrested large gangs of herders and destroyed their camps
30 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 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
1/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares laid by poachers along wildlife paths
10/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
28/08/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured juvenile elephant
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
13/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set by bushmeat poachers and removed them from the park
19/08/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found logging sites in the conservation area and destroyed any active camps to deter offenders from returning
26/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man found laying snares in the protected area
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 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
12/8/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
17/8/2024 ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION
The Mukururo team helped the Vet Unit and Translocation Unit to move an elephant from community lands and back into the park
30/8/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team apprehended a charcoal burner and destroyed the active kiln
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Kenze team found a bushmeat poaching camp, which had recently been active with a fresh carcass
17/08/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The Kenze team fought a wild re, which had most likely been set by livestock herders
29/08/2024 MIRAA HARVESTING
The Kenze team apprehended 2 offenders harvesting miraa in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many large snares from the conservation area, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
25/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
29/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares set by poachers in the park
25/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher in his camp with snares and poaching tools
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
26/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher in his camp with snares and poaching tools
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/08/2024 DAILY PATROLS
The team didn't come across any illegal activities during the month
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal burning camp
25/05/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man caught with fresh bushmeat
26/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team apprehended 4 men working a charcoal burning camp
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/08/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site and destroyed it
14/08/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found another logging site and destroyed it
26/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found makeshift snares and traps in the park and removed them
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/08/2024 BUFFALO RESCUE
The team in Meru National Park rescued a buffalo from a muddy water pan, but sadly it died soon after
10/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught with fresh bushmeat and snares
15/08/2024 POACHERS CAMP
The team discovered a camp full of poaching tools and equipment including bows and arrows, sadly the poacher escaped
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/08/2024 POACHERS CAMP
The team found a recently used camp, most likely used by poachers operating in the area
25/08/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old carcass of an elephant and removed its tusks to handover to KWS
28/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
Small snares were lifted from the park
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a bicycle with fresh bushmeat carcasses and lamping equipment Sadly the offender escaped
26/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team caught a man in the park with bushmeat and lamping tools
28/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted wire snares from the park
Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/08/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and arrested a logger
20/08/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team supported other ground teams in rescuing an elephant trapped in a muddy well. The elephant was soon freed without injury
23/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
Makeshift snares were lifted from the park, set by poachers to trap small animals
30 Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve Patrol areas:
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/08/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team lifted a number of small wire snares from the conservation area
25/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team destroyed a charcoal kiln found in the park
31/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed another charcoal kiln in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested 2 men in the park found making charcoal
25/08/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher in the park with fresh meat
26/08/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found another charcoal kiln and camp, and arrested 2 charcoal burners
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
23/08/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a fresh logging site in the park
29/08/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a bush re in the park
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
AUGUST 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team removed large snares from the conservation area
11/08/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
31/08/2024 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
