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 September 2024. During the month the Ziwani and Thabagunji teams were on annual leave whilst the Ithumba, Meru, Mtito, Mobile South and Kajiado teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
14,197
48 Arrests made:
27,678
13 Charcoal kilns destroyed:
897 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
SEPTEMBER 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. 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
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG
SEPTEMBER 2024
During the month of September the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 897 snares and made 48 arrests including 13 arrests for poaching activities (11 bushmeat poachers, 1 ivory poacher and 1 offender caught in possession of bushmeat), 13 livestock herders, 2 loggers, 16 charcoal burners and 4 rewood collectors.
During the month, the teams destroyed 5 livestock bomas, 13 charcoal kilns and 13 charcoal camps (including 36 charcoal sacks), along with 12 harbors/hides/camps. Due to the dry season the teams also helped with the rescue of 3 elephants from muddy wells along with rescues of orphaned elephants who were transported to the Trust's elephant nursery for care Likewise, the dry conditions in the parks exacerbated cases of wild res, which the teams responded to rapidly.
The SWT/KWS Vet Units were supported by the teams on several occasions responding to veterinary treatments and cases of Human-Elephant Con ict.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
SEPTEMBER 2024
ARRESTS MADE
SEPTEMBER 2024
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
SEPTEMBER 2024
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/9/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the KWS/SWT Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
18/09/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh carcass of a young elephant, which died from natural causes. Its tusks were handed over to KWS
27/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
3 bushmeat poachers were arrested along with a consignment of fresh dikdik carcasses
30 Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/09/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with a wound to its ank
23/09/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team rescued an orphaned baby elephant and helped arrange for its transport to care at the SWT Nursery
24/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team rescued a bird from a snare and lifted other small snares set by bushmeat poachers
30 Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 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:
14/09/2024
LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock found illegally grazing in the park and arrested a group of herders
20/09/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares and makeshift traps from the park set by bushmeat poachers
24/09/2024
ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team rescued a tiny newborn elephant calf found abandoned in the park and transported it to the SWT Nursery for care
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches Patrol areas:
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/09/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The found a logging site in the park and destroyed it to deter the loggers from returning
22/09/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found another logging site
27/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a charcoal burner in his homestead with bags of charcoal made in the park
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
on
4/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares and an old trap from the park set by poachers
12/09/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team rescued an orphaned baby elephant and helped to transport it to the SWT Nursery
28/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
More small snares were lifted from the Park
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team lifted snares laid by poachers on wildlife paths
27/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with snares
29/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed more wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man in the park with fresh bushmeat
20/09/2024 RHINO TRANSLOCATION
The team worked with the Translocation unit to remove a rhino caught in community lands
24/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers in the park with lamping equipment
30 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
14/09/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock found in the park
19/09/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
A tiny orphaned baby elephant was found and rescued, the team helping to transport the baby to the SWT Nursery for care
30 Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
25/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the park
27/09/2024 GRASS HARVESTING
A group of grass harvesters were evicted from the park
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 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: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
10/9/2024 ELEPHANT
IVORY
The Mukururo team arrested a man with a large consignment of broken elephant ivory pieces, the majority of which were most likely found in the parks after breaking naturally from elephant's tusks
22/9/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHERS
The team arrested 2 men with fresh bushmeat from a giraffe
29/9/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team worked with members from the local community to ght a re in the park
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Kenze team lifted wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park and rescued a duiker from a snare
17/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The Kenze team fought a wild re, which had most likely been set by livestock herders
25/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted some old wire snares found in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many large snares from the conservation area, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
21/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln and arrested a charcoal burner
29/09/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs of logging in the park
30 Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/09/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team caught a man logging in the park
13/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a re in the park, most likely set by livestock herders or intruders camping illegally in the park
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
30/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team attended to another re in the park. The res have been exacerbated by the dry season
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/09/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team helped rescue a mother and baby elephant who had become trapped in a muddy well Both mother and calf were successfully rescued without injury
3/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team discovered a bushmeat poaching camp with a large number of antelope carcasses. The poacher sadly escaped
14/09/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team helped rescue another elephant calf from a muddy well. Luckily this calf's family weren't too far away and the calf was reunited with them
30 Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 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:
12
21/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small wire snares set by poachers in the park
26/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln
27/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man in the park caught setting snares to trap wild animals
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
1/09/2024 ONGOING
PATROLS
The Kajiado team worked for part of the month but was unable to take any photos
12 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
17/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team in Meru National Park lifted a number or large snares from the conservation area, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
19/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted medium snares from the Murondia area
28/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found unused medium snares at Mughwango area
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers in the park
25/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a wild re in the park, which was lively set by livestock herders in an attempt to create more grazing lands
27/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
Small snares were lifted from the park
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a wild re in the park, most likely set by livestock herders to create more grazing land
26/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team caught a man in the park with bushmeat and poaching tools
28/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
Two poachers were arrested by the team with fresh bushmeat and a motorbike
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted makeshift snares from the park
23/09/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team made several arrests during the month of people found logging in the park
29/09/2024 FIREFIGHTING
A re broke out in the park and the team worked with other organisations and community members to put it out
30 Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve Patrol areas:
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
20/09/2024 ELEPHANT TUSK
The team discovered a single ivory tusk and handed it over to the KWS fore safekeeping
23/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed another charcoal kiln in the park
30 Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a gang of charcoal burners operating in the park and con scated many sacks of charcoal
12/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested another 3 men found making charcoal in the park
17/09/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
Another 2 men were arrested for making charcoal and more charcoal kilns were destroyed
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man in the park with cooked bushmeat
30 Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 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:
9/09/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team removed snares from the conservation area
18/09/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
27/09/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man in the park caught setting snares and traps
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
