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 October 2024. During the month the Kenze and Mukururo teams were on annual leave whilst the Tiva, Jipe, Kulalu, Bura, Kapangani, Kwale, 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:
48,206
42 Arrests made:
27,678
108 Elephant ivory con scated (kg):
1,367 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
OCTOBER 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
OCTOBER 2024
During October the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1367 snares and made 42 arrests including 11 arrests for poaching activities (10 bushmeat poachers and 1 offender caught in possession of bushmeat), 5 livestock herders, 6 loggers, 9 charcoal burners, 2 arsonists, 7 shermen and 1 rewood collector Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps totaled 12kgs of meat and 38 carcasses, including a large consignment of poached sh.
During the month, the teams destroyed 6 livestock bomas, 24 charcoal kilns and 5 charcoal camps, including 26 charcoal sacks, along with 27 harbors/hides/camps most likely used by poachers
In October the teams also discovered 8 elephant carcasses and handed over 108kg of ivory to the KWS. The teams supported the KWS/SWT Vet Units on 7 occasions responding to veterinary treatments of 6 elephants and 1 giraffe along with supporting several cases of Human-Elephant Con ict.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
OCTOBER 2024
ARRESTS MADE
OCTOBER 2024
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
OCTOBER 2024
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/10/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock found grazing in the park
25/10/2024 MINING ACTIVITIES
The team found an illegal mining site in the park
26/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 3 bushmeat poachers with a consignment of fresh bushmeat carcasses and poaching tools
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/10/2024
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
23/10/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of small snares from the park set by bushmeat paochers
29/10/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more small snares set by poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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:
24/10/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted wire snares and makeshift traps from the park
26/10/2024
ELEPHANT TUSK
An ivory tusk was discovered in the park, believed to have been broken during a ght with another elephant
27/10/2024
ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an injured elephant. The elephant continues to be monitored
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches Patrol areas:
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass with tusks intact The cause of death was unknown The tusks were removed and handed over to KWS for safekeeping
14/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a large number of snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
26/10/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured elephant.
12 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/10/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
15/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an elephant carcass and removed its large tusks to hand over to KWS for safekeeping
31/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
Snares were lifted from the Park set by bushmeat poachers
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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:
6/10/2024 HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The Mobile South team worked with the KWS and SWT Aerial Unit to push elephants out of community land and back into the safety of the Park
27/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers with a consignment of fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
31/10/2024 HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The team responded to another case of elephants straying out of the park and into community lands
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/10/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found a livestock boma in the park along with a makeshift camp The livestock herders ed the scene
27/10/2024 ILLEGAL INTRUSION
The team found footprints of potential poachers in the park
Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/10/2024
DAILY PATROLS
The team continued with their daily patrols throughout the month and did not nd any signs of illegal activities
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East
31
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/10/2024
BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers found with a snared giraffe carcass and lots of snares
21/10/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team responded to a re in the Chyulu Hills, most likely set by livestock herders in an attempt to create more illegal grazing land
31 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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
17/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher in his homestead with a consignment of fresh bushmeat
22/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team discovered an elephant carcass in the park; its cause of death unknown
29/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 3 bushmeat poachers with fresh bushmeat, snares and lamping tools
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team supported the KWS/SWT Vet Unit in treating a snared zebra
17/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass with its tusks still intact and handed the ivory over to KWS for safekeeping
24/10/2024 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of cattle from the park The herders escaped
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/10/2024 ILLEGAL FISHING
The team arrested 4 sherman found shing illegally within the protected areas
15/10/2024 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln and arrested 4 charcoal burners
27/10/2024 ILLEGAL FISHING
The team found makeshift crafts for shing hidden in the park and destroyed them
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of snares found in the park, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
9/10/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team apprehended a logger operating in the park at night
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
25/10/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team attended to several res in the park during the month
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/10/2024 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team helped rescue an adult elephant who had become trapped in a muddy well The elephant was successfully rescued without injury
23/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with a large consignment of bushmeat
28/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team removed tusks from a fresh elephant carcass, which died from injuries, and handed them over to KWS for safekeeping
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
13/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass with its tusks still intact and handed them over to KWS
15/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team removed the tusks from an elephant which had died from injuries. the ivory was handed over to KWS for safekeeping
21/10/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
Northern Area of Tsavo East
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/10/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Kajiado team arrested 2 loggers found operating in the park
22/10/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested another logger operating in the park
28/10/2024 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team con scated a bicycle loaded with wood logged illegally from the park. the logger escaped
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/10/2024 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
17/10/2024 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a big re in the park day and night along with Meru Park KWS personnel
22/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher operating in the park with large snares
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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:
23/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set by poachers in the park
26/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the conservation area set to trap small wild animals like dik dik
29/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
More wire snares were lifted from the park
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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
OCTOBER 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
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/10/2024 LION TREATMENT
The team supported the KWS/SWT Vet Unit in treating an injured lion
11/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass There were no tusks at the scene
17/10/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant in the park
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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:
11/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher setting snares in the park
19/10/2024
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
25/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHER
Another bushmeat poacher was arrested laying old fashioned snare traps
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/10/2024 ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION
The team supported the KWS and SWT teams in translocating an elephant out of community lands and back into the safety of the protected areas
28/10/2024 ELEPHANT ROAD ACCIDENT
The team responded to an elephant death case where an elephant was killed by a truck whilst trying to cross the Mombasa road. The team removed the tusks and handed them over to KWS
30/10/2024 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team responded to a case of a young elephant who died before treatment could be given by the KWS/SWT Vet Unit
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2024 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12 Days on duty:
21/10/2024 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The Tsavo Mobile team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
27/10/2024 BUSHMEAT POACHERS
The team apprehended 2 bushmeat poachers caught with tools and fresh bushmeat
28/10/2024 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a variety of snares from the park
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
