From the sky, our pilots have a unique perspective into the worsening drought. Across the Tsavo landscape, conditions are becoming increasingly dry with each passing month. Pockets of browse remain, but it is a very challenging time for wildlife.
With drought comes a predictable increase in illegal activities, which continues to keep our Aerial Unit busy. A steady influx in livestock incursions was observed on the Tiva River and in the southern sector of Tsavo West. This an exceedingly difficult challenge for KWS rangers to contend with, as herders often bring livestock in for the day and simply move to another part of the park when they are intercepted. In order to address the rise in livestock incursions, KWS set up a temporary ranger camp in one of the most affected areas. Their presence has significantly reduced the number of livestock in the park.
Livestock in the park tax an already resource-strapped ecosystem. The effects of illegal grazing are obvious from the air, with huge swathes of bare earth emanating from the boundary of the Park between Lake Jipe and Salaita. While it is thankfully not as extensive as in previous years, some livestock grazing was also observed in Chyulu Hills National Park.
Illegal grazing also brought bushfires to the Chyulu Hills. Several blazes were suspected to have been set by herders in an attempt to improve grazing conditions for their livestock. The worst fires, however, were set by a suspected bushmeat poacher.
While responding to a large bushfire on the lower slopes of the Chyulu Hills, our pilot spotted multiple smaller fires nearby. When he flew to investigate a fresh plume of smoke, a man broke cover from a nearby bush. Unfortunately, all of our rangers were engaged with the fire, so it took some time to get a team into position. In the meantime, the suspect disappeared into the thick forest. Despite combing the area and setting several ambushes that night, the suspect made a clean getaway.
The fires burned thousands of acres of grassland, bush, and forest. Bringing it under control was a feat of firefighting, requiring extensive teams on the ground and assistance from the SWT helicopter’s Bambi Bucket. At the time of writing, several small fires continue to smoulder in the adjacent lava forest. These are impossible to extinguish, because the burn beneath the lava occasionally comes to the surface.
Pilots also observed illegal logging activity, primarily in the northern sector of Tsavo East and to the east of the park, on Kulalu Ranch. Dozens of charcoal-burning camps were identified, along with hundreds of charcoal kilns and charcoal sacks ready for collection. Over the coming months, our ground teams will focus on this area to address the problem, which is closely tied to bushmeat poaching.
A routine helicopter patrol brought this link into stark relief. While circling closer to observe a charcoal kiln, the team sighted a poacher’s harbour nearby. They landed the helicopter and discovered machetes, hoes, knives, fishing poles, dead fish, six dead birds, two live birds (who were unfortunately maimed), and obvious evidence of bushmeat poaching at the scene. With KWS, they confiscated the contraband and destroyed the harbour.
Over the course of the month, the Aerial Unit discovered two more poaching harbours. The second was located near the first charcoal kiln and poacher’s harbour, while the third was in Tsavo West. The teams found evidence of dik dik poaching and dried zebra meat at the scene. The helicopter also responded to a report of a motorbike transporting bushmeat. The suspects managed to escape, but their motorbike was seized. It was carrying 13 dik diks, multiple gerenuks, and 16 medium snares.
Pilots were involved in the rescues of two orphaned elephants in August. Big Life rangers found the first orphan on Kuku Ranch, alone and in very precarious condition. The calf was flown to the nearby Umani stockades, where it received emergency care. Tragically, it was too far gone and succumbed to its weakened state. The second rescue was a very young calf who had gotten stuck in a drying waterhold near Voi. By the time it was discovered, its family had long since abandoned the area, leaving it an orphan. The helicopter transported the calf to our Nairobi Nursery, where it is doing well thus far.
Human-wildlife conflict remains a persistent challenge, especially as the drought continues to take hold. In August, the Aerial Unit responded to three incidents of human-elephant conflict. The helicopter pushed two elephants out of Ivani Town, near Mtito Andei, and back into the protection of the park. Later, it pushed a large group of about 30 elephants out of community land near Kasigau to nearby Rukinga Ranch. This area is protected by Wildlife Works, who supported the operation by locating the elephants after receiving complaints from the affected community. The final case involved locating an even larger herd of around 50 elephants that had found themselves in a community near Mwangea Hill, to the west of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. Coordinates were provided to KWS’s Problematic Animal Management Unit.
In a single day, the SWT helicopter responded to three veterinary cases: two adult elephants with suspected arrow wounds and an elephant calf with a snare. Because of the speedy response, which was only made possible through aerial intervention, all three treatments were successful.
Happily, pilots did not observe any fresh carcasses throughout the month. However, two very old elephant carcasses with ivory intact were sighted near Satao Lodge in Tsavo East. The pilot collected ivory from both elephants and handed them over to the KWS in Voi.
The Aerial Unit performed an urgent medivac in August, transporting KWS veterinarian Dr Jeremiah Poghon to Karen Hospital in Nairobi after his team was involved in a vehicle accident during an operation in Tsavo East. One member of the team tragically lost his life in the accident.
Notable wildlife sightings in August included plenty of lions, several striped hyenas, a pair of wild dogs, and the elusive honey badger.
