Sheldrick
WILDLIFE TRUST
Newsletter - 2020
Table of Contents Overview for 2020
6-7
Orphans’ Project Nairobi Nursery
10 - 15
Kaluku Neonate Nursery
16 - 19
2020 Rescues
20 - 21
2020 Graduations
24 - 31
Voi Reintegration Unit
34 - 43
Ithumba Reintegration Unit
44 - 51
Umani Springs Reintegration Unit
54 - 61
Mobile Veterinary Units & Sky Vets
64 - 69
Anti-Poaching Teams
72 - 75
Canine Unit Aerial Unit
76 - 77 80 - 93
Saving Habitats Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu Hills
94 - 95
Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project
96 - 97
KARI Ranch (Kiboko Ranch)
96 - 98
Project Amu and Witu Forest
98
Peregrine Conservation Area and Tsavo Farm
99
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
99
Support for Mount Kenya National Park
102
Kimana Corridor and Sanctuary
102
Reforestation Efforts Water for Wildlife
102 - 104 106 - 107
Additional Support for the Kenya Wildlife Service Fire Mitigation and Response
108
Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation
108
Elephant Translocation Unit
108
Electric Fencelines
110
Infrastructure and Equipment Support
110
Meru Rhino Sanctuary
112
Community Outreach
112 - 115
Eco Lodges
116 - 117
Looking Forward
118 - 119
Special Thanks
120 - 122
Overview for 2020 BY ANGELA SHELDRICK
“ Rains always serve as a beacon of hope; a reminder that, at the end of every difficult dry season, relief awaits us. ”
This was a year of mixed emotions. It was a deeply tragic period in human history, as the impossible came to pass. Here in Kenya, we felt the ripple effects of the pandemic keenly, and it has certainly been one of the most challenging chapters in our organisation’s history. However, this year also showed us the best of humanity — not just within our own staff, but the world at large. 2020 began on a high, as nature bestowed extraordinarily bountiful rains upon us. I have never seen Tsavo so green or so teeming with life. All manner of wild creatures experienced a baby boom, but especially elephants. Nearly every passing herd had calves peeking out from their mother’s legs. These are the sights that would have made Daphne’s heart sing. Rains always serve as a beacon of hope; a reminder that, at the end of every difficult dry season, relief awaits us. This promise of better times ahead took on a special, more symbolic significance in 2020, for just as the dry season began to set in, the global pandemic struck. Flights were grounded, borders were closed, and our horizons shrunk overnight. 6
For the first time in our 43-year history, we shut our doors to the public and embarked on a great unknown. It would have been easy to despair, but we forged ahead with one goal: to continue our work unabated. While this year presented its fair share of stressful days and sleepless nights, it has been a pleasure and a privilege to work through it with our incredible team. Every member of staff rose to each challenge with a positive outlook and an unfaltering dedication. This was at great personal sacrifice, as travel restrictions inhibited their time off and their ability to visit their families early in the year. Just as they are committed to their work, we are equally committed to our teams. I am proud to say that we retained all our staff through the pandemic, from elephant keepers to vehicle engineers, anti-poaching rangers to Eco Lodge staff. Each person has a vital role to play in our conservation work, and they are certainly needed now more than ever: As we have seen time and again, when mankind struggles, the natural world suffers the consequences. It was absolutely imperative that we didn’t cut corners or let any aspect of our work lag. However, I feel deeply grateful that we were in a position to be able to retain our staff and continue our work, especially as so many others were unable to do so. And that is thanks to our global supporters, who make everything we do possible. Despite a lack of foot traffic through our doors, so many were galvanized to see us through this time. The outpouring of support we received was truly humbling. This year really showed me how many people genuinely care about wild places — and as long as there is that passion, I feel sure all will turn out right in the end. Indeed, so many signs indicate a bright future for our natural world. We ended 2020 with the news that Kenya’s elephant population has doubled in the last 30 years. This is an extraordinary triumph, especially given the species had been decimated by decades of poaching epidemics. It is also a tangible example of conservation success in action, something only made possible through the dedicated work of field conservation players, local communities, and a global supporter base, working in concert to create a future for elephants. We mustn’t get complacent, however: For every triumph, a myriad of other threats loom. I salute the vets, keepers, rangers, pilots, and every other silent hero who continues to make it their life’s work to change the landscape. Now, we are beginning to meet the next generation of Kenya’s elephants — babies born to orphans we rescued, raised, and reintegrated back into the wild. Many of these orphans were victims of poaching themselves, and despite such shattered beginnings, they flourished in our care and went on to reclaim their rightful place back in the wild. From just a few saved individuals, entire herds are born. To see these elephants stride off into the sunset, perfectly integrated with the other herds of Tsavo, is a magical sight indeed. And on that note, I invite you to come experience our magic firsthand. Amidst all its challenges, this year has given us time to pause, to reprioritise. For many, it reinforced the value of our natural world, reminding us how important it is to not only protect nature, but to spend time within it. Choosing Kenya as your next destination is one way to support our conservation efforts and all those who rely on it. And in the meantime, know that we will be working hard behind the scenes, just as we have been doing for nearly half a century, to protect this cherished part of the world and all the creatures who call it home. Once again, thank you for making that work possible.
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The Orphans’ Project 263 orphaned elephants successfully raised 17 orphaned rhinos successfully raised 81 dependent orphaned elephants 172 orphaned elephants gone wild 38 babies born to wild-living orphaned elephants
NAIROBI NURSERY - ESTABLISHED 1987 17 milk-dependent orphaned elephants 1 orphaned rhino This has been an extremely unusual year, in all respects. The abundant rains that closed out 2019 continued well into 2020, swathing the country in a generous blanket of greenery. Drought, and the human-wildlife conflict that results from limited resources, typically leaves a spate of orphans in its wake. By contrast, the abnormally verdant conditions across Kenya certainly contributed to the low number of elephants we rescued this year. This is also a testament to our field initiatives: It wasn’t that long ago, during the height of the ivory poaching epidemic, that our orphan herd was growing by double digits each year. The decline in rescues shows how a coordinated presence on the ground and in the air, working with other local partners, can effectively tackle a threat as pervasive as poaching. While we celebrate the dramatic reduction in elephant poaching, other threats loom. Chief among them is the relentlessly expanding human footprint, chipping away at our wild world and leaving elephants with a shadow of their traditional rangelands. Human-Wildlife Conflict is the inevitable symptom of this issue, and one we must remain vigilant about. For this reason, we are placing an increased emphasis on habitat protection, community partnerships to set aside land for conservation, and developing robust conflict mitigation strategies. The other unusual turn of events, of course, was the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a precautionary measure to limit the spread of the virus, we closed our Nursery to the public beginning in March. This decision was not taken lightly, but the well-being of visitors, the wider
community, and our staff is always paramount. While the world went on pause and tourism came to a standstill, our orphans remained blissfully unaware that anything was amiss. Their days continued to be dominated by fun and games, petty rivalries and devoted friendships. Our orphans lead a carefree life, which is as much as they deserve after surviving tragedy and hardship at such a young age. Our Nursery herd grew by one early in the year. On the 2nd of January, we rescued a calf from the Maasai Mara whose mother had died of unknown causes. Naleku, as we called her, was just six months old at the time. We usually leave new rescues in their stockade for the first several days at the Nursery, so they can acclimate to their new life in peace. Naleku was so restless that we decided to let her out immediately, giving the other orphans the opportunity to work their healing magic on her, having gone through similarly traumatic experiences. Since that day, our plucky girl has been a larger-than-life presence at the Nursery, bossing around elephants twice her size and generally running the show. She became fast friends with Mukkoka, who was her first neighbour. An orphan’s early days are a formative time to forge friendships, and while Mukkoka is more than a year Naleku’s senior, our little tomboy still makes a beeline for his stockade in the morning so they can spend the day together. Aside from the excitement of Naleku’s rescue, the early months of the year were very peaceful. Thanks to the long rains, Nairobi National Park was bursting with life. This actually caused some unforeseen challenges for 10
our Keepers: The vegetation grew exceptionally tall and dense, making it difficult for them to spot the naughty orphans who liked to sneak off on their own adventures! Kiasa was often a ringleader in this respect, whisking away as many as eight other orphans for private browsing sessions. March was a month of goodbyes and hellos. On the 17th, we bid farewell to the tallest member of our Nursery herd, Kiko the reticulated giraffe. He came to us in 2015 when he was just days old, and after nearly five years in our care, the time had finally come for him to take his next step. His move up country to Sirikoi within Lewa Wildlife Conservancy was certainly unusual. Driving a giraffe through the centre of Nairobi, plus a further 200 kilometres to his final destination, took a team effort. Thankfully Kiko made the whole safari easier than originally anticipated, seemingly fascinated by it all and offering little resistance. We miss Kiko and his mischievous ways, but he is absolutely thriving in his new home. At the end of month, we rescued another elephant calf whose mother had passed away. We named the young bull Naboishu. It is so interesting how different orphans acclimate to their new Nursery life. Unlike Naleku, who settled immediately, it took Naboishu a bit more time to find his place among the herd. The others seemed to understand that he needed extra support, which they provided in spades. The Nursery is but the first stage in our orphans’ journey back to the wild. After several years in Nairobi, receiving round-the-clock care with very close oversight, they are ready to graduate to one of our Reintegration Units. In May, it was time for seven beloved members of our Nursery herd to take this momentous step. On the 11th, mini matriarch Tagwa and her sidekick Tamiyoi moved to our Voi Reintegration Unit. A week later, our three big boys Musiara, Sattao, and Dololo made the journey to Ithumba. And then, on the last day of the month, our lionhearted Luggard and Enkesha moved to Umani Springs. All graduations are poignant, but theirs was especially so. Luggard, who was maimed by a hail of gunfire, and Enkesha, who nearly lost her trunk to a poacher’s snare, have overcome so much in their short lives. Their move to Umani Springs brought them one step closer to reclaiming their wild destiny. There is always a brief period of adjustment following these graduations, but the orphans adapt quickly. Tagwa’s departure gave Maisha the opportunity to assume the
mantle of Nursery mini matriarch, a role she took on with aplomb. She immediately had a chance to showcase her new skills: In early June, we rescued another little girl from the Maasai Mara. Olorien, as we called her, had been without her mum and milk for a good long time, as indicated by her poor body condition, sunken cheeks, and hollow temples. Despite this, she recovered well and soon found her niche within the Nursery herd. Her arrival was a wonderful development for Ziwadi, a fellow introvert, and they continue to enjoy a quiet lifestyle together. July heralded in wintertime, which continued well into August. On the equator, this just means that the weather becomes relatively mild. However, it was chilly enough to keep the orphans out of the mud bath, and the smallest babies donned their colourful blankets before marching out into the forest. Maktao’s interactions with the youngest members of the herd are especially heartwarming. He is like a benevolent uncle, treating them with a gentleness that is uncharacteristic of older bulls. He also spends a lot of time with his peer and neighbour, Kiombo, who shares his calm approach to life. September was a very exciting month for the Nursery herd, as we welcomed three new orphans from our Kaluku Neonate Nursery. Bondeni, Kindani, and Kinyei were all rescued under fraught circumstances and spent their most vulnerable months recovering in Kaluku. Initially, they seemed bewildered to find themselves in the presence of much larger elephants, which is ironic, as all our Nursery orphans are very much babies themselves. Kindani, who was the matriarch of the little trio at Kaluku, retains her leadership position but is also happy to be babied herself. Kinyei remains quite reserved, happiest when left to her own devices. Bondeni, on the other hand, has an enormous personality and likes to be the centre of attention. Already, they are intrinsic members of our Nursery herd, coddled by everyone — but especially by the mini matriarchs. It is interesting to see how different elephants have different leadership styles. Maisha stands out as a remarkably soft-hearted girl. She never gets anxious or annoyed, even when baby Roho — who is the apple of her eye — pulls her tail or steals greens straight from her mouth. Nabulu, on the other hand, takes more of a “tough love” approach. She is affectionate, too, but she really keeps everyone in check. Even Kiasa, our resident imp, has been exploring her nurturing side. She is still a 14
bit of a menace during feeding times, but she has clearly turned over a new, nurturing leaf this year. While Larro is still very young, she shows strong leadership potential: One morning, she and Bondeni came across a buffalo out in the forest. Bondeni brazenly approached him, naive to the potential danger of such an encounter. Larro took command of the situation and ran in front of Bondeni, flapping her ears to chase off the buffalo. Moments like these indicate that she will be a very good matriarch one day. November always brings about a wave of excitement, as the orphans anticipate the onset of the short rainy season. This is a favourite time of year for one of our orphans in particular: Maxwell, our rain-loving rhino. This time was no exception, and he settled into a state of muddy bliss for the remainder of the year. It has been wonderful to see him so happy and energetic, after he grappled with a bout of poor health at the beginning of the year. While we struggled to identify what was actually wrong with him, he lost quite a bit of condition and seemed lethargic, even forgoing his treasured morning ritual of greeting the orphaned elephants at his gate. After providing medication, additional supplements, and varying his browse, Maxwell is now feeling and looking like his normal self again. The orphans are delighted to have their friend back, and queue outside his stockade before heading out into the forest. All in all, this has been a year of happiness and growth for our Nursery herd. Amidst the challenges and uncertainties of today’s world, we can’t help but feel buoyed by the hope that these babies represent. They have been through so much, yet they still embark on each day with unerring optimism. That is something we can all learn from and adopt in our own lives.
Luggard
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The Orphans’ Project KALUKU NEONATE NURSERY - ESTABLISHED 2018 4 milk-dependent orphaned elephants 1 milk-dependent orphaned rhino An eclectic group of other orphans The Kaluku Neonate Nursery was born out of necessity in 2018. At the time, Nairobi was receiving unusually heavy rainfall, leaving the Nursery in a relentlessly chilly, sodden state. This extreme weather coincided with the rescue of a number of infant elephants whose survival was already hanging by a thread. We made the decision to raise these vulnerable babies at our Kaluku Field Headquarters in Tsavo, where the conditions were more amenable. In a twist of fate, the new Kaluku Neonate Nursery’s first resident was a victim of the floods. Lemeki was just weeks old when the raging waters of the Mara River swept her away from her herd. It was only out of sheer luck that scouts spotted her and plucked her from the torrent. More orphans followed that year: Two little girls, Kindani and Kinyei, were suspected victims of humanwildlife conflict. Two little bulls, Thamana and Mayan, came next. Thamana was stuck in mud, while Mayan had fallen down the Manyani prison septic tank. In 2019, two more boys joined the fold: Bondeni, another orphan of human-wildlife conflict, and Vaarti, who likely lost his mother to poachers. All these infants were rescued in a very precarious state, making them ideal candidates for Kaluku. In September 2020, our inseparable trio of Kindani, Kinyei, and Bondeni graduated to the Nairobi Nursery. One must be nimble when it comes to raising orphaned elephants, changing course as dictated by the conditions and a baby’s individual needs. It was clear that these three would benefit from the wider social circle to be found in Nairobi, as well as more bountiful browse. Following their departure, we are currently raising four orphaned elephants at our Kaluku Neonate Nursery: Lemeki and her boys, Thamana, Mayan, and Vaarti. Lemeki is cut
from the same cloth as orphans like Wendi and Kamok before her; larger-than-life, quite mischievous, but also very nurturing. In short, she is the perfect ringleader for these three little bulls. In time, they all will graduate to one of our Reintegration Units, where they will reclaim their place among the wild herds of Tsavo. We aren’t only raising elephants at our Kaluku Neonate Nursery. It is home to an ever-growing and increasingly eclectic herd of orphaned creatures, all of whom will one day be reintegrated into the surrounding Tsavo wilderness. Over the years, many have already completed this journey, even introducing us to their own wild-born babies. Because of the spate of fires that ravaged the Tsavo ecosystem this year, we rescued a number of new orphans who were unable to outrun the flames. This includes Bristle the ostrich, Rukinga the oryx, and Susu the eland. Poppadom, an orphaned tree squirrel, presides over the tree canopy of Kaluku, chirping away as he cavorts through the branches. Among all these orphans, it is Apollo the black rhino who runs the show. Now nearing his second birthday, he is beginning to look every inch a magnificent (albeit pintsized) rhino, with his armour-like hide and formidable front horn. Like a typical juvenile, he has a bit of an attitude and can be very stubborn when the mood strikes him. One night, he staged a nocturnal rebellion and flatly refused to go into his stockade until well after midnight. Other times, we are reminded of what a baby he really is. He squeaks with delight when he sees his Keepers in the morning, and before he goes to sleep, he pitches his mattress over his back like a little tent. Apollo has done this every night since he came into our care, and while he continues to outgrow his mattresses, he shows no signs of outgrowing this particular ritual.
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Apollo
2020 NURSERY ARRIVALS AND THEIR RESCUE STORIES
“ The abnormally verdant conditons across Kenya certainly contributed to the low number of elephants we rescued this year ”
Naleku | Female | 2nd January, 2020
Reason Orphaned: Mother died of unknown causes
Naboishu | Male | 28 March, 2020
Reason Orphaned: Mother died of natural causes
Olorien | Female | 6 June, 2020
Reason Orphaned: Unknown
We received a report from KWS about a female elephant who had died in the night, leaving her six-month-old calf behind. The baby was very much milk-dependent and vulnerable to predators, so we quickly mobilised our team to the Mara to rescue her. Naleku thrived from the onset, joining the other Nursery orphans soon after her arrival. She is a remarkably plucky little girl — a tomboy, really — and doesn’t put up with any nonsense. While most youngsters gravitate towards the mini matriarchs, Naleku prefers hanging out with the older bulls, particularly Mukkoka.
After a female elephant died of natural causes, her orphaned calf was rescued in a group effort by Mara County Conservancy Rangers and KWS. We named the young bull Naboishu, which means “unity” in the local Maa language. While he is generally a reserved elephant, Naboishu knows how to make an entrance: He has a funny habit of bellowing just before he has his milk bottles, earning him the title of noisiest orphan we have ever had.
Maasai herdsmen reported a lone calf who was attempting to join their cattle. The decision was made to see if her herd would return for her, but over the following days, she cut an increasingly desperate figure in the Maasai Mara. Olorien’s rescue was extra complicated due to Covid-19 protocols. It took her quite some time to come out of her shell, but she is an incredibly sweet elephant who always supports her friends, particularly the quieter members of the Nursery herd. She is named after the area where she was found, which means “place of the olive trees” in the local Maa language. 20
2020 GRADUATIONS
Kiko Male | Date Rescued: 16 September 2015 Graduation Destination: Sirikoi, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy Kiko was just a week old when he was found alone on the boundary of Meru National Park. After spending nearly five years at the Nairobi Nursery, he was ready to move north to Sirikoi, where he will eventually reclaim his place in the wild. He is thriving there — still as mischievous as ever but making progress and even befriending members of the local reticulated giraffe population.
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Tamiyoi Female | Date Rescued: 16 September 2015 Graduation Destination: Voi Reintegration Unit As a two-month-old, Tamiyoi fell down a well in Samburu and her herd was forced to abandon her. Her condition plummeted during the dreaded teething process and it was a serious struggle to keep her alive. She graduated to Voi with her sidekick, Tagwa. Tamiyoi’s favourite perk of Tsavo life is the opportunity to interact with the tiny babies of wild-living orphans.
Tagwa Female | Date Rescued: 7 May 2016 Graduation Destination: Voi Reintegration Unit Tagwa came to us from the slopes of Mount Kenya, covered in the dark hair that distinguishes elephants from this chilly region. She originally graduated to Voi in July 2019, but after contracting an infection, she returned to the Nursery to convalesce. Tagwa’s second go-round was much more successful. While it took her a little time to acclimate, she is now thriving in Voi. Her best friends remain Tamiyoi and Sagala.
Musiara Male | Date Rescued: 14 January 2017 Graduation Destination: Ithumba Reintegration Unit Musiara was just a month old when a film crew spotted him wandering the plains of the Maasai Mara, hopefully trailing passing herds until he grew too weak and collapsed. He has always been a remarkably empathetic young bull, and even since graduating to Ithumba, he has retained his sweet nature. He is also becoming increasingly independent, even leading the herd out to browse in the morning.
Sattao Male | Date Rescued: 18 March 2017 Graduation Destination: Ithumba Reintegration Unit Sattao was likely orphaned at the hands of poachers. He was just three months old at the time of his rescue and came to us covered in bite marks from small predators. Since graduating to Ithumba, he is taking advantage of the opportunity to hang out with and learn from older bulls. Without hesitation, he will approach wild-living orphans as big as Tomboi, who is 14 years his senior.
Dololo Male | Date Rescued: 9 September 2018 Graduation Destination: Ithumba Reintegration Unit Dololo was found submerged in a waterhole, his head covered by water and only his trunk poking out. For a long time, he was a tragic sight to behold, all jutting bones, hanging skin and sunken cheeks. Over the intervening months, however, he was reborn — and even turned into a bit of a handful! He has become the darling of the Ithumba herd, constantly spoiled by all the older girls. 26
Tamiyoi
Enkesha Female | Date Rescued: 11 February 2017 Graduation Destination: Umami Springs Reintegration Unit Enkesha was just a baby when she became entangled in a wire snare, which wrapped so tightly around her trunk that it nearly severed it entirely. It took years of healing, but she now has full functionality in her trunk. Still, we knew she would benefit from the gentle environment of Umani Springs. She has blossomed there, enjoying the increased independence while also making lots of new friends.
Luggard Male | Date Rescued: 31 March 2016 Graduation Destination: Umami Springs Reintegration Unit Luggard was four months old when he was shot several times in the leg, rendering him almost immobile. While he has recovered remarkably well, he may always walk with a significant limp. That is why Umani Springs is the perfect forever home for him. He is surrounded by other elephants who understand his physical hardships and will support him every step of the way.
Bondeni Male | Date Rescued: 4 February 2019 Graduation Destination: Nairobi Nursery Bondeni was days old when he wandered into a village bordering the Chyulu Hills. He had clearly travelled far: His tiny feet were covered in lacerations from the lava fields that jut out of the surrounding land. Because of his vulnerable age, we initially raised him at our Kaluku Neonate Nursery. Now, he is ramping up the fun and games at the Nairobi Nursery. He reminds the Keepers of Ndotto, another remarkably jolly bull.
Kindani Female | Date Rescued: 2 April 2018 Graduation Destination: Nairobi Nursery In the days following her rescue, Kindani faced floods of biblical proportions, a night marooned amidst swirling waters, and a sojourn in an aircraft hangar — and she survived it all with a quiet determinism. She was the mini matriarch of her infant trio at our Kaluku Neonate Nursery, and now that she is at the Nairobi Nursery, she is enjoying the opportunity to be babied by all the older girls.
Kinyei Female | Date Rescued: 4 July 2018 Graduation Destination: Nairobi Nursery As a newborn, Kinyei very nearly fell prey to a pride of lions. Fortunately, she was rescued in time and brought to our Kaluku Neonate Nursery to recover. She grappled with a spate of health issues, but now she is a picture of well-being, with a perfectly plump belly to prove it. Kinyei is very shy, and while she has expanded her social circle at the Nursery, she is happiest when browsing with a select group of friends. 30
THE VOI UNIT - ESTABLISHED IN 1948 SOUTHERN AREA TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK 18 milk-dependent orphaned elephants 9 partially dependent elephants 66 elephants living wild For the Voi herd, 2020 began with a bit of a reshuffle. The past few years have seen an influx of new graduates from the Nursery, led by our formidable mini matriarch, Mbegu. This changed the dynamic, encouraging the older orphans to explore their independence. Edie and Mweya’s ex-orphan herd spent the first half of January in the area, enjoying a spell at “home” and the opportunity to acquaint their newborns, Mwitu and Eco, with their human-elephant family. When they departed for greener pastures on the 17th, several members of our dependent herd chose to join them. Kihari, Panda, Naipoki, Nguvu, Mbirikani, and Lentili had grown increasingly independent over the years, but the enticing opportunity to nanny Mwitu and Eco was the impetus they needed to fully transition to the wild. This shake-up promoted Kenia to matriarch of the older orphans. She was the perfect candidate for the role, adeptly helping her little herd become acquainted with their independence. In the mornings, she would lead Ndii, Tundani, Nelion, Ndoria, Mashariki, Ishaq-B, Mudanda, and Araba on explorations deeper into Tsavo, before returning at night to sleep just outside the stockade compound. This allowed them to dip their toes into a wild life at a comfortable pace, without having to fully take the plunge. At the end of 2019 and into 2020, Tsavo saw better rains than had been recorded in half a century. Voi transformed into an emerald paradise; high grasses engulfed the open plains, while flowering ipomoea creepers entangled every shrub. Because of the incredible bounty of vegetation, wild herds and ex-orphans dispersed far and wide, meaning the Voi dependent herd had very few visitors during the early part of the year. However, the orphans didn’t seem to miss the company, as they were having far too much fun frolicking in the greenery. Their days were spent in high spirits, chasing butterflies, sliding down muddy trenches, and cavorting in sparkling pools.
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Perhaps feeling inspired by her older friends’ growing independence, little Sagala decided to test her own boundaries. While out and about one day, she snuck off and joined a wild herd who was browsing nearby. As they moved further away, Sagala went with them, and the Keepers needed the help of a vehicle to gently separate the young elephant from her would-be kidnappers. While her initiative was admirable, Sagala is still milkdependent and not quite ready to strike out on her own! Our orphan herd may have shrunk at the beginning of 2020, as several members transitioned to the wild, but it continued to grow as the year progressed. On the 20th of February, Diria the zebra entered the fold. The circumstances of his rescue were quite spectacular: Herdsmen were leading their goats through a ranch near Tsavo East when a zebra and her newborn foal burst out of the bushes, with a pride of lions in hot pursuit. Tragically, the lions caught the mother, at which point the baby zebra instinctively ran for shelter — right into the herd of goats. The herders had sympathy for the foal and offered him protection until a proper rescue could be organised. After spending their early days at our Kaluku Field Headquarters, orphaned buffalos Cheza and Ivia moved to Voi in early April. Although they are still young, this is a more favourable location for them to eventually reintegrate into the local buffalo population. They were completely nonplussed by the elephants, having grown up alongside the neonates in Kaluku, but the same could not be said for the Voi orphans! Ngilai was particularly taken with the pair, especially Ivia. As the months progressed, this fascination turned into a fast friendship, and the elephant and buffalo have become thick as thieves. Graduations are a cause for great celebration, so everyone was aflutter when Tagwa and Tamiyoi arrived from the Nursery on the 11th of May. This marked a return trip for Tagwa, who originally graduated to Voi in July 2019. This initial move proved short-lived; soon after her
arrival in Tsavo, one of her tusks began growing askew. This brought about the elephant equivalent of a massive toothache, causing poor Tagwa to lose condition by the day. Tagwa returned to the Nursery to convalesce, but after more than eight months back in Nairobi, she was fully recovered and clearly ready to revisit her next step. Orphans always graduate with a friend by their side, and Tamiyoi was the obvious choice for Tagwa. She had been a steadfast counterpart to Tagwa, serving as her secondin-command at the Nursery, and we knew she would support her shyer friend as they transitioned to Voi life. As soon as their lorry pulled into Voi, Mbegu and her mini herd of Godoma, Ngilai, Ndotto, Murit, Lasayen and Emoli sped down to greet the new arrivals. Tagwa and Tamiyoi knew this cast of characters from their Nursery days, and so it was a very happy reunion. Interestingly, it took Mbegu a bit of time to warm up to Tagwa. Tagwa was also a mini matriarch during her time at the Nursery, so we suspect that Mbegu recognised her capabilities and felt threatened by her. Fortunately, Tagwa had no such leadership aspirations at Voi, so both girls soon found common ground. In fact, Mbegu now goes out of her way to be friendly to Tagwa, as if making amends for her initial unfriendliness. June brought about dryer conditions, which had the fringe benefit of luring more wild visitors into the area. The older girls, notably Arruba, Suswa, and Rorogoi, were eager to make their acquaintance, especially if they had a young baby in their midst. Their friendliness proved to be a bit over-ambitious and, more often than not, the newcomers stepped in and shuffled their calves away. As the wild elephants spent more time in the area, however, they became more generous with their access. In the end, our girls were treated to quite a few special meetings with young babies. Emoli was another elephant who relished these wild encounters. A remarkably gregarious young elephant, he would walk right up to wild elephant bulls and introduce himself. While they seemed surprised by his confidence, the bulls were always very welcoming to our little boy. On the 22nd of June, Diria was joined by another orphaned zebra. He was less than a week old when he wandered into a Maasai manyatta in the village of Nzukini, which means “place of the bees” in the local Kamba language. As a nod to his origins, we named the little foal Nzuki — our little bee. 39
The Voi herd continued to frolic their way through the dry months, blissfully unaware of the bushfires that raged across Tsavo. The same could not be said for our teams, who spent days and nights fighting the flames on all fronts. Back at Voi, however, it was all business as usual. Despite the cold dry weather and drying vegetation, the orphans remained in very high spirits. Ndotto was, as usual, the most jovial of the bunch. He has the distinction of being the tiniest orphan we have ever rescued, but now he is becoming quite a big bull. Ndotto is very proud of his newfound stature and takes every opportunity to showcase it, challenging every elephant who crosses his path to vigorous wrestling matches. August was marred by tragedy, as we lost our dear Nelion. At nine years old, he had become a cherished member of our family, and many of the Keepers had known him since his infancy. A pride of 12 lions attacked him and while his injuries seemed innocuous at first, they must have wreaked havoc internally. Despite the vet’s best efforts, Nelion died on the 24th. We must take comfort in the fact that he spent his final days surrounded by love. His friends never left his side, enveloping him in trunk hugs and making sure he knew how cherished he was. Nelion’s death left a great hole in all our hearts. Much like humans, tragedy shapes an elephant. Ndoria had always been one of the most troublesome members of the Voi herd, forever terrorizing her friends by biting their tails. Nelion’s attack seemed to reform her character, encouraging her to be more polite and a lot less mouthy. Whereas the other orphans used to swiftly vacate the mud bath when Ndoria entered — in an effort, no doubt, to spare their tails from an assault — they now eagerly wallow alongside her. Nelion’s attack also brought Kenia, Ndii, Tundani, Ndoria, Mashariki, Ishaq-B, Mudanda, and Araba closer to home. They were clearly shaken by the tragic events and needed time to regroup among their humanelephant family. As the oldest members of the collective Voi herd, Kenia and Ndii assumed their leadership roles once more. Arruba, Suswa, and Embu had managed very well in their absence, but they relinquished control with good grace, knowing their time will come again. At seven and eight years old, they are still the most senior orphans in the fully dependent herd and remain very much in charge should Kenia’s herd wander off for a spell.
Three-year-old Pika Pika still enjoys all the perks that come with being the youngest member of the Voi herd. She found herself at the centre of a custody battle when the older girls returned. Arruba had adopted Pika Pika as “her” baby, but Kenia swept in and reclaimed her, while Ndii chose five-year-old Tahri as her little charge. Arruba was a good sport about the whole situation and teamed up with Ndotto instead. While this may seem an unlikely pairing, perhaps she realised that she is not quite ready to be a full-time nurturer and would rather play while she can! The short rains arrived in October, first presenting themselves as a drizzle. The skies continued to open well into November, saturating the parched earth and rejuvenating life. Fresh greens shot through the soil, presenting a succulent buffet that the orphans were only too happy to dive into. Dung beetles appeared out of nowhere, feverishly rolling their nests with the output from the elephants’ feasting. The Keepers nearly had to dance while walking to avoid stepping on them! The elephants had their own spring in their step, delighted by the wet conditions and all the new opportunities for play it presented.
We did not see Emily’s ex-orphan herd at all this year, as they chose to remain further towards Tsavo West. This became their preferred browsing grounds, after that area received exceptional rains. With a generous buffet of grewia at their feet the entire time, one can hardly blame them for wanting to stay put. Despite the ups and downs of the year, 2020 ended on a very hopeful note. To see our herd simply go about their day is to see the success of the Orphans’ Project in action. From Mbegu leading her mini herd to Mweya leading her own family, it is home to generations of elephants — indeed, all manner of species — at various stages of their reintegration journey. Looking forward, we are on the cusp of a great baby boom: Many of our older Voi girls are of breeding age, so in the not-too-distant future, we hope to hear the pitter patter of more wild-born babies in our midst.
The year-end holidays always mark a homecoming, when many of our wild-living orphans return to the places where they grew up. True to form, Mweya and Edie’s exorphan herd arrived on the 12th of December, after an absence of nearly a year. Mwitu and Eco had flourished in the intervening months, growing into perfectly plump and unabashedly joyful little elephants. Kihari, Panda, Naipoki, Nguvu, Mbirikani, and Lentili clearly had a spectacular inaugural year out and about in Tsavo, supported every step of the way by Mweya and Edie. They all seem to have a newfound swagger, much like older children coming home for the holidays. Amidst all these happy greetings, it did not escape the ex-orphans’ notice that a beloved member of their family was missing. The very day they arrived, they walked over to the place where Nelion was buried and stood in silence for a spell, paying tribute to their lost friend. This was all the more moving because none of Edie and Mweya’s herd were in the area when Nelion passed, yet they intuitively knew where to find his final resting place. Elephants are incredibly emotionally intelligent creatures, so it should come as no surprise that they held their own vigil for their departed friend. 40
THE ITHUMBA UNIT - ESTABLISHED IN 2004 NORTHERN AREA TSAVO EAST NATIONAL PARK 34 milk-dependent orphaned elephants 65 elephants living wild Love was in the air as we began 2020. Yatta and her exorphan herd first showed up around the holidays, and they remained in the area for the rest of January. Several of the females were in season and had attracted a coterie of handsome suitors. 20-year-old Yatta evaded their advances by playing a game of hide-and-seek with the bulls, concealing herself among the Keepers and Ithumba herd. She only gave birth to her youngest calf, Yoyo, two years ago, so perhaps she was not ready to embark on the journey of motherhood again so soon. It was heartwarming to see how the dependent orphans banded around the older females. One day, Namalok, Wanjala, and Tusuja even volunteered to keep an unwanted admirer away from Yatta by persistently blocking his path. February in Tsavo is normally bone dry and scorching hot, but due to the unusual rains that began in October and continued into the new year, this February was the exact opposite. The red earth was completely saturated, leaving the baobabs flush with leaves and the ground blanketed in Ipomoea creepers. The Ithumba mud bath was full to bursting, and the orphans spent most of their days swimming in the crystal water en masse like a school of fish. These remarkable conditions brought about an equally remarkable change in Kauro. He had always avoided swimming, probably from the trauma of falling into a well as an infant, but something inspired him to dive in. By the end of the month, he had transformed into a water lover of note! Leap Year Day was remarkable for several reasons. On the morning of the 29th of February, Mulika arrived at Ithumba with a brand-new baby in tow. We named her little boy Mkuu, which means “chief” in Swahili. Her firstborn, eight-year-old Mwende, proved to be a very enthusiastic big sister and turned doting on Mkuu into a full-time job. Mulika lost her own family to poachers, an experience that left her emotionally scarred for years. It is so special to see her now, perfectly happy and raising an ever-growing wild family. The ex-orphans and their babies stayed around Ithumba through March. Their visits provided a wonderful opportunity for the older
dependent females, particularly six-year-old Roi and Naseku, to practice their nannying skills. They especially loved caring for Kama and Lili, the respective daughters of Kinna and Loijuk. Nasalot’s rascal of a son, Nusu, kept himself busy by challenging junior bulls, like Mundusi and Karisa, to wrestling matches. Barsilinga had a difficult start to the year, after a badly infected foot injury forced him to remain with the dependent herd while he healed. At eight years old, he was beginning to feel the call of the wild, and it must have been frustrating to have to put those plans on hold. Fortunately, his best friends were very supportive: Orwa, Bomani, and Chemi Chemi continued to visit, even establishing a wild “bedroom” near the Ithumba stockades so they could easily link up with Barsilinga in the morning. The dry season finally began in May. Ex-orphans always circle closer to home during this time, lured back by the readily available water sources. Big boys Challa, Zurura, and Rapsu were frequent visitors, along with Orwa’s herd, Kibo, Sities, Suguta, Mutara, and Kainuk. Towards the end of the month, Turkwel, Kainuk, Kithaka, Garzi, and Lemoyian appeared, all looking very well. Mutara was in the midst of a torrid flirtation with a rather striking bull, leading us to think that she may be starting her own family in a couple of years. On the 17th of May, our Ithumba herd grew by three when Musiara, Sattao, and Dololo graduated from the Nursery. They received a warm welcome from Jotto, Ambo, Kuishi, Malima, and Mapia, all of whom are friends from their infancy. Junior girls Maramoja, Ndiwa, Malkia, and Sana Sana relished the opportunity to look after the new arrivals and spent lots of time showing them the ropes of Tsavo life. By the time orphans are ready to graduate, they are usually the biggest elephants at the Nursery. However, they are still very much babies — a fact that is immediately reinforced upon their arrival at the Reintegration Unit! 44
As Musiara, Sattao, and Dololo walked back to the stockades on their first night in Ithumba, they constantly glanced over their shoulders at the towering figures of 14- and 15-year-old Zurura and Challa following them. Our little trio was visibly shocked to have such enormous elephants in their midst. Wild visitors continued to linger around Ithumba well into June. Suguta and Sities couldn’t believe their luck to find three new Nursery graduates at Ithumba, and their presence certainly anchored both girls to the area. Sities fell unabashedly in love with Dololo. She would spend entire days fussing over him, finding shady areas for him to rest and even escorting him to his midday milk bottles. Dololo, who has been through so much in his short life, lapped up all this affection and we have never seen him happier. Many of our dependent girls also took this opportunity to develop their nurturing skills. Maramoja did her very best to look after the new trio, paying special attention to Musiara. Siangiki, who has always had a soft spot for Ambo, kept a beady eye on anyone who dared play with her precious boy. Whenever she needed a break, Naseku or Kamok would eagerly assume guardianship of Ambo. This little bull has captured so many girls’ hearts. Some of the girls took their eagerness to nurture to the next level. On the 18th of July, Mutara’s herd arrived in the company of ex-orphans Melia, Tumaren, Chemi Chemi, Kibo, and Kandecha. The following afternoon, Melia took it upon herself to steal half of the dependent orphan herd, sneaking off with Sattao, Karisa, Kuishi, Ndiwa, Maramoja, Sapalan, Rapa, Roi, Ukame, Namalok, Olsekki, Siangiki, and Galla. At six o’clock in the evening, the Keepers finally found them sheepishly hiding around Ithumba Hill Lodge! When we first established our Ithumba Reintegration Unit in 2004, it was rare to see even a single wild elephant. Decades of poaching had traumatised the local population, and the survivors had all but abandoned the area. At the beginning, just a few bold bulls came to investigate our presence, and word quickly spread that Ithumba was a safe haven once more. Now, it is common to have as many as 100 wild visitors in a single day. Over the years, we have come to recognise many familiar faces. The Keepers were happy to have one such wild friend, who they call “Dad,” show up in July. He earned his name because we know he has fathered at least two of our ex-
orphans’ babies, Mwende and Yetu. Dad is in the prime of his life, but he is always very happy to mentor our herd. The dependent orphans spent lots of time watching and learning from this magnificent bull. As the sun was setting on the 22nd of August, Lenana and her ex-orphan herd appeared at the stockades — a herd that had a newborn addition! 15-year-old Lenana had given birth that very morning and could not wait to share the moment with the people who raised her. A grand celebration ensued, as the elephants’ rumbles and trumpets filled the air. As a nod to Lenana’s evening reveal, we named her boy Lapa, which means “moon” in Samburu. It didn’t take long for us to realise that little Lapa is another rascal, cut from the same cloth as Nasalot’s notoriously mischievous baby, Nusu. Two years ago, Enkikwe narrowly survived a harrowing lion attack. In fact, it is only because of the bravery of his older friends that he is alive today: Ex-orphans Makena, Tumaren, and Rapsu intervened in the nick of time, chasing off the lions and escorting Enkikwe back to the Ithumba stockades. He was covered in injuries, most notably a grievously wounded hind leg. It has been a long road to recovery, but 2020 was a year of great progress for Enkikwe. His friends, who have gotten in the habit of treating him with kid gloves, even seemed shocked by his progress. During a memorable afternoon in September, he was rolling around with Olsekki so vigorously that Ndiwa, Kuishi, and Jotto just looked on in amazement. Aside from a few showers, the dry season continued through October. Over 30 ex-orphans took up residence around Ithumba for the month, giving the dependent herd plenty of opportunities to interact with their babies. Everyone was very excited to enjoy some quality time with Lapa, but the little rascal had other ideas in mind. One morning, Naseku and Sattao ran straight out of their stockade to see him, trunks aloft in friendly greeting. Lapa, who was just two months old at the time, immediately started fighting them, leaping up on his hind legs to launch an aerial assault. Naseku and Sattao were so bemused by their pint-sized opponent that they extricated themselves from the situation. Lenana certainly has her work cut out for her as she raises this character. On the 7th of November, we woke up to find Wendi and her two babies, Wema and Wiva, outside the compound. We had not seen them since March, so this was a very 48
happy reunion indeed. Interestingly, the end of Wendi’s trunk was missing, likely a souvenir from a skirmish with a crocodile. She was in the company of Kinna, baby Kama, Sunyei, baby Siku, and Vuria. Kinna always seems to know the whereabouts of her friends, even those who have been absent for quite some time. We are always amazed by her remarkable ability to keep tabs on everyone, even friends who are spread throughout Tsavo. Wendi’s firstborn, Wiva, is now five years old, which puts her in the same age group as many of our dependent orphans. During her visit, she got into a spirited wrestling match with Pare. Our orphans are usually hesitant to truly challenge the wild-born babies, aware that their mothers and vigilant nannies are always looking on. However, Pare really did not want to be embarrassed in front of his friends, so he brazenly gave the match his all. Wiva felt the heat and opted to bolt instead of finishing their game. This was one of those rare instances where an orphan was allowed to claim victory over a wild baby. The short rains arrived in the middle of November, delighting species great and small. On the ground, dung beetles were hard at work fashioning their perfectly round nests, while birds flitted around from dawn until dusk. The rains also served as the cue for our ex-orphans and their wild friends to take their exit, dispersing far and wide to enjoy all the fresh browse to be had. While our orphans benefit enormously from the presence of their older, wild-living friends, they do enjoy having the run of the place when the opportunity presents itself. As such, everyone showboated quite a bit during November. One day, mischievous Esampu spotted a flock of guinea fowl walking ahead of her. She charged at the tubby birds, trumpeting with her ears spread wide until they noisily flew off, much to the delight of her onlooking friends. Sapalan, Kamok, Tusuja, Kauro, Rapa, Enkikwe, and Barsilinga pulled several disappearing acts, sneaking away from the Keepers in the afternoon and then nonchalantly strolling back to the stockades at their leisure. This year, Oltaiyoni developed some princess behaviour during milk feeding times. She decided she didn’t want to drink alongside the others and instead waited a short distance away for a Keeper to hand-deliver a bottle to her. Namalok, meanwhile, continued to eschew bottles in favour of drinking his milk directly from his designated bucket. One afternoon, the Keepers caught Mteto trying 51
to steal from Namalok’s milk bucket. They reminded her that such behaviour was unacceptable, and she has since been much more polite during feeding times. Elephants are such unique characters, and it is always interesting to see the orphans’ particular eccentricities emerge. Our orphans are always in communication with the exorphan herds. We witnessed this one day in December, when the dependent herd raised their trunks in tandem. This went on for quite some time. We soon realised that the orphans were receiving information from the exorphans, who were directing them over to where they were browsing. Christmas came early on the 18th of December, when Yatta’s ex-orphan herd passed through Ithumba. It was a huge group, consisting of Yatta and her calves, Yetu and Yoyo; Kinna, Lualeni, Loijuk, Sunyei, Sidai, and Wendi with their daughters Kama, Lulu, Lili, Siku, Sita, Wiva, and Wema; Nasalot and Lenana and their rascal boys, Nusu and Lapa; and Teleki, Makena, Naserian, Ishanga, Makireti, Kilabasi, Kasigau, Chaimu, Ithumbah, Narok, and Olare. Upon closer inspection, we realised this gathering was the elephant version of a baby shower: 14-year-old Chyulu was in their midst, with a tiny baby by her side! We named her boy Cheka, which means “smile” in Swahili. Cheka brings our tally of known wildborn babies to 38 — and judging by all the romance we saw unfold this year, there are many more on the way. On the last day of 2020, the pregnant skies gave way to rain, ending the year on a high note. The sudden deluge sent the orphans into a tizzy of delight. Everyone dropped what they were doing and started playing in the wet soil, splashing and trumpeting and kicking their legs in the air. It has been a year of plenty in Ithumba, but a challenging one the world over. Watching these babies embrace the downpour with unbridled joy made us think back to all they have overcome, but also to everything they have to look forward to. It also served as a poignant reminder that with every rain cloud, there is a silver lining.
THE UMANI UNIT - ESTABLISHED IN 2014 KIBWEZI FOREST 9 milk-dependent orphaned elephants 5 partially dependent elephants 2020 began on a wonderful note for the Umani Springs orphans, full of hope and new horizons. Lima Lima, as usual, led the herd into the new year. While Murera and Sonje are co-matriarchs, the injuries that left them orphaned continue to affect their mobility. So, they have entrusted Lima Lima with the more physical aspects of leadership. The Keepers have dubbed her their scout; her trunk is always perked for unfamiliar scents, ready to raise the alarm should she smell a wild interloper. Throughout the year, Lima Lima alerted the Keepers to the presence of all manner of creatures, from leopards to baboons to visiting elephants. Happily, wild visitors were a mainstay throughout the year. Towards the end of 2019, Zongoloni, Ngasha, Ziwa, and Faraja started spending their nights outside the stockades, exploring their independence and generally having a grand old time in the Kibwezi Forest. In fact, the Keepers could hear their raucous adventures all the way from the stockade compound, earning them the nickname the “nightclubbers.” As we embarked on 2020, they continued to build upon these forays into the wild, spending nights and even days away from the dependent herd. In March, we had proof of just how well they were reintegrating into the population of the Kibwezi Forest: One night, a wild herd camped outside the compound, availing themselves of the water trough and causing a great commotion. Their antics woke the Keepers and, emerging from their bedrooms to investigate, they were delighted to find Zongoloni, Ziwa, Ngasha and Faraja at the centre of all the action! After everyone had had their fill of splashing and playing, the wild herd refused to leave without the nightclubbers, communicating their intentions through a series of trumpets and rumbles. No one got much sleep that night, but it was so gratifying to see our orphans’ wild lives begin to unfold before our very eyes. The following months were all about happy reunions and new friendships. In early April, Osama appeared after a long absence. When he first arrived on the scene in 2016, he was very aggressive towards the Keepers.
While much of his unfriendliness can be attributed to a prudent wariness of human presence, we suspect he was mostly just jealous: Sonje had caught his eye, and he was absolutely determined to court her without the competing presence of the Keepers. In a final bid to win her heart, he camped outside her stockade one night and flatly refused to leave the area. Because of this dangerously amorous bull, everyone was trapped in the compound for a full two days. Thankfully, Osama proved to be a reformed bachelor this time around. He was exceedingly polite to the Keepers, even waiting along the forest path some mornings to accompany the orphans on their adventures. Sonje, however, seemed to be over her crush. She is an extraordinarily beautiful elephant and always has wild bulls fawning over her, so perhaps she isn’t in a rush to settle. She is fast becoming the heartbreaker of the Kibwezi Forest! Ndugu was another familiar face who turned up in April. He was one of the first wild bulls to embrace our unique human-elephant family and over the years, he had truly become like a big brother to the orphans. (Fittingly, his name means “brother” in Swahili.) After spending the day in their company, Ndugu would accompany the herd back to their stockades and see them off for the night. When the nightclubbers started spending nights out in the forest, he frequently served as their chaperone. Then, tragedy struck in May. Ndugu showed up at the mud bath in evident distress, and the Keepers were shocked to discover that he had been mortally wounded in a fight with another elephant. Our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit rushed to treat him and Dr Poghon was able to walk right up and dart him with anaesthetic, such was Ndugu’s trust in his human family. Despite our very best efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. We took him deep into the forest to his final resting place, a peaceful spot among the leafy trees that he loved so much. While his life was cut short, Ndugu left an indelible impact on all of us — particularly the orphans who truly regarded him as a big brother. 54
In a year blighted by heartbreak, everyone needed a story that bolstered spirits. That unfolded on the 31st of May, when Luggard and Enkesha moved from the Nursery to Umani Springs. Graduations are always auspicious events, but it was particularly momentous for these two survivors. Luggard was four months old when he was caught in a hail of gunfire. Bullets pierced through his left foot and shattered his right knee, rendering him almost immobile. Enkesha was just a baby herself when she became entangled in a wire snare, which wrapped so tightly around her trunk that it nearly severed it entirely. Although both have recovered remarkably well in the intervening years, Luggard may always walk with a significant limp, so we had to plan his next step very carefully. Murera has a similar disability, and it was for her that we established the Umani Springs Reintegration Unit six years ago. Elephants with lifelong injuries simply can’t walk the hundreds of miles required to find food during Tsavo’s dry season. Instead, they need to live in a forgiving environment, one where water and browse is abundant throughout the year. That is why the extensively protected Kibwezi Forest, a lush pocket of paradise where Umani Springs sits, is the perfect place for physically compromised elephants like Luggard and Murera — and, of course, their lucky friends! Luggard and Enkesha pulled into Umani Springs just as the soft glow of morning began to peek through the trees. The truck wasn’t even stationary before Lima Lima was by its side, eager to meet the precious cargo within. Enkesha shot out confidently, while Luggard followed wide-eyed and worried. His bewilderment was shortlived, as he immediately found himself enveloped by his new family. In fact, during their first night there, everyone was too excited to go to sleep. The older orphans clustered around Luggard and Enkesha’s stockade, and it took quite a bit of coaxing to get them into their own rooms. Murera kicked up such a fuss that we eventually let her into the newcomers’ stockade for a sleepover, but she was so overeager in her nannying duties that she woke her little charges every time they tried to lie down! In the end, the Keepers moved her back into her own stockade so Luggard and Enkesha could enjoy a good night’s rest underneath the brilliant starry sky. Moving forward, we made a compromise with Murera: She escorts Luggard to his door at night, and then waits outside his stockade in the morning to accompany him out for the day.
For a herd as intimate as ours, in Umani Springs, the arrival of two new graduates was always going to shake things up. Jasiri, perhaps seeking personal growth of his own, felt inspired to branch out with the nightclubbers. Zongoloni, Ngasha, Faraja and Ziwa are his age-mates and best friends, and while he would spend his days exploring with them, he had been too anxious to spend nights out in the forest. Shortly after Luggard and Enkesha’s arrival, however, he felt ready to take this step — and by the end of June, he was often the last one to arrive back at the stockades in the morning! With Enkesha and Luggard added to the fold, Alamaya and Mwashoti found that they were no longer the babies of the Umani Springs herd. While Mwashoti accepted his change in status with good grace, it motivated Alamaya to make some bigger changes in his life. He started peeling off in the morning, taking his own path and browsing independently of the herd. Throughout July and August, he was spending increasing amounts of time with the nightclubbers, sometimes even forgoing his midday bottle of milk. By the time September rolled around, he had advanced to going off into the forest for days and nights at a time. Interestingly, he did some of these wild forays independently: While the other nightclubbers stick together like glue, Alamaya is very good at making wild friends and has fostered a large social circle. Given all he has been through — he was mauled by hyenas as a baby, which left him a eunuch — it is really special to see him embracing his wild destiny. Zongoloni is the only girl among the nightclubbers, but she is indisputably their leader. In fact, we feel sure that Murera appointed her to keep an eye on the boys. When the babies arrived from the Nursery, Zongoloni fell in love with Enkesha and took her on as her little protégée. While she still spent nights off in the forest with her band of boys, she decided to remain closer to home during the day, so she could be by Enkesha’s side. It is very heartwarming to see the girls greet each other in the morning; they trumpet in delight and run over to each other as if it has been weeks, instead of mere hours, since their last reunion. Mwashoti was also eager to forge a friendship with Enkesha. She is two years his junior, so initially, the Keepers and older orphans chaperoned their time together, apprehensive that Mwashoti would play too rough. They needn’t have worried, however, as our plucky girl knows how to look after herself. Whenever Mwashoti gets carried away or annoys her, Enkesha raises 58
her ears high and trumpets at him, putting him firmly in his place. Mwashoti, for his part, continues to amaze us. Like Enkesha, he is a snare victim, maimed by a cable that cut down to the bone of his front leg. Over the years, he has healed better than we could have possibly hoped, and today he walks with barely a limp. Over the course of the year, we saw the most profound transformation in Shukuru. She had been plagued by chronic illness for many years, but we finally had a breakthrough in her treatments. She began to put on condition and grow an appetite — but even more importantly, her mental health improved. The arrival of Enkesha and Luggard gave her a whole new lease of life, and she became a brand new elephant with infectious joie de vivre. While she still prefers to spend her days peacefully, she even started joining in some of the fun and games with the other orphans. Like Shukuru, Quanza had her own invisible barriers to overcome. She was just a baby when she saw her entire family gunned down by poachers. The emotional scars from that experience never fully healed, and Quanza has always been a very withdrawn elephant. This year, however, she started to come out of her shell. It was not uncommon to find her wallowing dramatically in the mud and even roping the others into games. She has a soft spot for Shukuru, and if the older girl ever wandered off,
the protective side of Quanza would take over and she would quietly approach Shukuru to keep her company. The short rains arrived as the year drew to a close, blanketing the Kibwezi Forest in a fresh layer of greens. With a never-ending buffet on offer, Luggard really began to fill out. While our little lionheart has a long road to recovery ahead of him, he will be ably supported every step of the way. We mean this quite literally: The older girls, led by Murera, developed a system so he is never alone. If Murera or Sonje need a break, Lima Lima takes over guardianship. Every now and then, Lima Lima’s greedy side clouds her mind, and she will rush off in search of tasty browse, only to stop in her tracks and rush back to Luggard when she remembers she is meant to be watching him! A few days after Christmas, we were treated to a cacophony of trumpeting outside the stockades. Something exciting was clearly afoot, and the orphans didn’t even finish their lucerne pellets the next morning, such was their eagerness to investigate the situation. As it turns out, all the noise was actually a celebration of new life: In the night, a wild elephant had delivered a baby! The orphans milled around the birth site for quite some time, perhaps thinking about the day they will start their own families. It felt like a perfectly optimistic note upon which to end this special year.
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Mobile Veterinary Units 5 Mobile Veterinary Units 1 Sky Vets Unit 732 animals attended to in 2020 163 elephants attended to in 2020 7,299 animals attended to overall 73% treatment success rate
“Having a permanent veterinary presence in key habitats is fundamental to our conservation work, particularly given the challenges of today. ” In partnership with the KWS, we launched our first Mobile Veterinary Unit in 2003, to help wildlife in Tsavo. Over the years, this project has expanded in both scope and range, and today we operate five SWT/KWS Mobile Veterinary Units in key ecosystems, plus a Sky Vets initiative, providing veterinary assistance across Kenya.
Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit
Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit
Areas of Operation: Greater Tsavo Conservation Area, Chyulu Hills National Park, and Shimba Hills National Reserve
Areas of Operation: Amboseli National Park and the Southern Conservation Area, encompassing Kajiado, Namanga, Magadi, and Lake Natron; Southern Tsavo West, including Lake Jipe
Unit Leader : Dr Jeremiah Poghon Established : 2003
Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit
Unit Leader : Dr Campaign Limo Established : 2007
Areas of Operation: Maasai Mara National Reserve, the adjacent Mara Triangle, and neighbouring community areas; Lake Naivasha, Lake Nakuru, and the surrounding Rift Valley; Ruma National Park and Lake Victoria
Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit
Unit Leader : Dr Ephantus Ndambiri Established : 2012
Areas of Operation: Meru National Park, Bisanadi National Reserve, Kora National Reserve, and surrounding wildlife dispersal areas, parks, and reserves
Unit Leader : Dr Edward Kariuku Established : 2014
Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit Unit Leader : Dr Domnic Mijele Established : 2017
Areas of Operation: Mount Kenya, the Aberdare Range, and Southern Laikipia
Sky Vets
Unit Leader : On-duty KWS veterinarian Established : 2013
Areas of Operation: The whole of Kenya, with a focus on cases in remote or inaccessible areas
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The Units’ collective areas of operation span the Tsavo Conservation Area, Amboseli National Park and its environs, the Maasai Mara, the Central Rift Valley, Mount Kenya, the Aberdares Range, Laikipia, Meru National Park and as far north as Samburu to Turkana. The Sky Vets initiative increases their reach, offering aerial support to treat patients in remote areas that are impossible to access by road. Having a permanent veterinary presence in key habitats is fundamental to our conservation work, particularly given the challenges of today. As the natural world continues to shrink, Mobile Veterinary Units have become a frontline defence against the ever-growing threat of humanwildlife conflict. Not only are they equipped to respond to all manner of medical emergencies, but also to intervene when creatures maraud into local communities. The Units’ rapid response saves hundreds of lives each year, through both direct treatments and conflict mitigation. This year, they attended to 133 animals who were the victim of human-wildlife conflict, plus a further 105 animal relocation requests. Collectively, these patients represented nearly a third (32.5 percent) of all animals attended to in 2020. With an experienced KWS field veterinarian at the helm, each Unit is supported by KWS capture rangers, a driver, and a custom-kitted vehicle. Operating from a central base, they travel vast distances within their patch to respond to ill, injured, and imperilled wildlife of all shapes and sizes. They are supported by a crowdsourced surveillance network spanning KWS personnel, local NGOs, lodge staff, guides or tourists, and local communities. These eyes on the ground provide in-themoment reports, flagging cases that need attention and greatly enhancing the impact of the Mobile Veterinary Units.
Some memorable treatments over the course of 2020 included rescuing a giraffe who was completely submerged in mud (Mount Kenya Unit), safely removing a leopard who had entered a community boma (Amboseli Unit), relocating several southern white rhinos into Meru Rhino Sanctuary (Meru Unit), treating a heavily pregnant lion for fight wounds (Mara Unit), and rewilding a highly endangered pangolin who had been confiscated from a poacher (Tsavo Unit). Elephants factor large in the Units’ work. They attended to 51 elephants for poaching-related injuries, the majority of which had been speared. In a joint operation with the KWS, Sky Vets supported the herculean task of translocating seven unruly bull elephants deep into Tsavo West National Park. The Mara Unit had to employ innovative tactics to free a full-grown elephant who had fallen into a sewage pit. In a particularly touching case, the Tsavo Unit saved a tiny calf who had become completely submerged in mud, while his frantic mother watched on the side-lines. Keeping wild families together is always our primary goal, so it was extremely gratifying to watch this newly reunited herd walk off into the sunset together. While treating wild animals comes with its fair share of challenges and heartbreak, these happy outcomes are what we work so hard to achieve for creatures across Kenya.
The Units had a very busy year, attending to 732 animals in 418 cases. While they provide a lifeline to creatures great and small, elephants make up the majority of the patients they treat, representing 22 percent of all animals attended to in 2020. They also attended to 33 rhinos; 102 lions, leopards, and other predators; 41 giraffes; 198 plains game; and a variety of other species. 23 percent of these cases (97 in total) were the victims of poaching activities. While we are very pleased to report a continued reduction in ivory poaching over the years, the deadly use of snares is on the rise, representing nearly half of all poaching-related cases in 2020. 66
Animals Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units Since Inception
Animal Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units Since Inception
Sky Vets in Action: Saving an Arrowed Elephant On 15th January 2020, the SWT/KWS Canine Unit spotted a majestic bull seeking shade in the Tsavo Triangle. It was immediately evident that something was amiss: He had what appeared to be an infected abscess on his abdomen, and upon closer inspection, they realised that he had been shot by a poacher’s poisoned arrow.
ground team got into position, the Trust’s helicopter flew Dr Mijele to the site so he could dart the patient from the air. As so often happens when a patient succumbs to anaesthetic, the elephant collapsed on the wrong side. After securing straps around him, the vehicle gently turned him over so treatment could commence.
Night was falling, so we arranged to mobilise our Sky Vet initiative at the first light of day. Meanwhile, the Trust’s Super Cub performed an evening patrol to monitor the bull’s position. Arrangements were made for KWS vet Dr Domnic Mijele, who heads the SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Vet Unit, to be flown down from Nanyuki the next morning to carry out the treatment.
The poison had leached into the patient, creating a severe infection. Left untreated, it would likely have proved fatal. Fortunately, the team reached the bull in the nick of time. After cleaning out the wound, they administered long-lasting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories before reversing the anaesthetic. He rose to his feet, a regal elephant in the prime of his life, restored to his former grandeur. Human greed very nearly stole his future, but thanks to a rapid response from Sky Vets, he will continue to preside over the plains of Tsavo for decades to come.
At dawn, the Super Cub set out again to locate the patient. Despite the low clouds and poor visibility, they sighted him in the company of another bull. While the
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A Veterinarian’s Perspective: KWS Dr Domnic Mijele’s Notes From the Field In late 2017, I was appointed to lead the newly established Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit. The Mount Kenya region is home to some of the most endangered wildlife species in the world, including northern white rhinos, Grevy’s zebra, and mountain bongos. It is a privilege to serve all creatures, but especially those whose place on earth is so perilous. This is a challenging part of Kenya in which to work, as much of the terrain is densely forested and thick with vegetation. With the rainy season comes flooding and muddy conditions. That is where the collaboration with the SWT and KWS Airwings comes in, offering aerial support to ensure we can reach difficult-to-access patients. We are also encouraged by the support we continue to receive from local stakeholders, including wildlife managers, conservancy managers, and community scouts. Their commitment to wildlife helps save countless wild lives each year, as we rely on their observations to report cases that require veterinary intervention. Local communities have also embraced our conservation work and become wildlife ambassadors, calling upon our team whenever they see an animal that needs help. While ivory poaching is largely under control, humans continue to be the number one threat facing wildlife in the Mount Kenya region, as is the case across Kenya. Habitat loss and Human-Wildlife Conflict are two interconnected issues. As more habitats are lost to agriculture, construction, and other human activities, traditional migratory routes are disrupted and wildlife have less space to call home. Because of this, they increasingly maraud into human settlements in search of food, water, or simply because it had been part of their traditional rangelands. We see the consequences of these interactions firsthand, treating all manner of creatures for injuries related to human-wildlife conflict. Over the course of 2020, the Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 114 cases. While many of these stemmed from natural causes, a number were the result of Human-Wildlife Conflict or poaching. We also worked on several technical cases. Perhaps the most notable unfolded at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, where we collected oocytes from the last two northern white rhinos on earth in an attempt to save the species from extinction. Najin and Fatuh are aging and unable to get pregnant naturally, so there is a plan to reproduce through in vitro fertilization and surrogacy. This was the first step in what could be a groundbreaking scientific achievement. In May, we were involved in the translocation of 26 Grevy’s zebras from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Sera Conservancy, where they will form the foundation of a new population. Given that just 2,800 Grevy’s are left in the world, this was an operation of great biological significance. The Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 18 cases involving elephants in 2020. In one particularly poignant treatment, we came to the rescue of a very young calf who had become entangled in a snare. Fortunately, it had not yet caused much damage. Keeping wild families together is our top priority, so it felt very special to watch him rejoin his herd, with his whole life ahead of him. Because human-wildlife conflict is an ongoing issue, we continue to place great emphasis in solutions that benefit both animals and the communities who live alongside them. In June, we translocated 30 lions out of Solio Conservancy and into Tsavo and Meru National Park, which have greater carrying capacity for the species. This should resolve the rampant human-lion conflicts that have plagued the area in recent years. These are just a few of the hundreds of wild lives saved by Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit since its inception. We continue to work hard to create a better future for our natural world and all the creatures who call it home. 69
Anti-Poaching Teams 18 Anti-Poaching Teams 1 Canine Unit 189 wildlife offenders arrested in 2020 9,067 snares confiscated in 2020 222 elephants reported due to human-wildlife conflict in 2020 For more than two decades, our rangers have been working on the frontlines of conservation, tackling the most pressing threats facing Kenya’s wildlife. What began as one Tsavo-based Anti-Poaching Unit in 1999 has since grown into a robust presence in key habitats across the country. In partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service, we now operate 15 teams within the greater Tsavo Conservation Area. Collectively, these teams patrol a vast swathe of wilderness spanning 60,000 square kilometres, which is home to Kenya’s largest population of elephants. In 2014, we expanded our presence to Meru National Park, which provides sanctuary to over 80 rhinos and a host of other species. Under the direction of Mara Elephant Project, we also fund two teams based in the Mau Forest, a priceless water catchment area in the Rift Valley.
Tsavo Conservation Area 1. Mtito | Tsavo Triangle, Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks | est. 1999
11. Sobo | Central and western sectors of Tsavo East National Park | est. 2018
2. Peregrine | Trust land, Adjacent to Tsavo East National Park | est. 2001
12. Mobile South | Where most needed, in the southern sector of Tsavo East National Park | est. 2018
3. Burra | Southern sector of Tsavo East National Park and surrounding ranch lands | est. 2002
13. Chyulu Mobile | Where most needed in Chyulu Hills National Park, Kibwezi Forest, and KARI Kiboko Ranch | est. 2019
4. Ithumba | Northern sector of Tsavo East National Park, including Ithumba Reintegration Unit | est. 2002
14. Mukururo | Northern sector of Chyulu Hills National Park | est. 2020
5. Tiva | Northern sector of Tsavo East National Park | est. 2004
15. Galana | Eastern boundary of Tsavo East National Park, Galana and Kulalu Ranches | est. 2020
6. Ziwani | Southern sector of Tsavo West National Park and surrounding ranch lands | est. 2004
Meru National Park
7. Chyulu | Chyulu Hills National Park, including Kari Ranch | est. 2006
16. Meru | Meru National Park and Mwea National Reserve | est. 2014
8. Kenze | Kibwezi Forest Reserve Chyulu Hills National Park | est. 2013
Mau Forest
9. Yatta | Northern sector of Tsavo East National Park, including the Yatta Plateau | est. 2016
17. Mau Forest 1 | est. 2018 18. Mau Forest 2 | est. 2019
10. Mobile North | Where most needed in the northern sector of Tsavo East National Park | est. 2016
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Despite the challenges presented by COVID-19, all teams continued their work unabated. It was vital to maintain our full anti-poaching presence, especially during the early days of the pandemic. For the first three months, when Kenya was under strict lockdown measures, our AntiPoaching Units forewent taking leave and chose to remain in the field, where their presence was so direly needed. Even in the best of times, being a ranger is challenging, dangerous work. It entails long days, harsh weather, and threatening encounters with both man and beast. This year added a whole new set of complexities, not least of which was being away from family for such an extended period of time. Despite this, they went about their vital work with strong morale and even stronger determination. We knew these same lockdown restrictions would leave millions of Kenyans struggling to make ends meet, which would inevitably lead to a spike in poaching and other illegal activities that endanger wildlife. By operating at our normal capacity, we were able to get ahead of the curve, ramping up patrols with the KWS and working hand-inhand with communities to combat these looming threats. Given that so many other stakeholders in the Tsavo Conservation Area had to reduce their field commitments, it was particularly vital that we maintain a strong front, and we are so grateful to our team for staying the course. In fact, we established two new Tsavo-based AntiPoaching Teams in 2020. The Mukoruro Team, which is a joint venture between KWS, Big Life, and ourselves, was rolled out in February. Its remit is the northern area of Chyulu Hills National Park, focusing on the boundary with Mukoruro Ranching Company. It was created at the request of KWS, in response to the settlement dispute that continues to unfold on the ranch side. The
Mukoruro Team ensures these settlers do not engage in poaching or extract natural resources from the park. Illegal activities here include harvesting timber, charcoal burning, and bushmeat poaching. Over the course of the year, the Mukoruro Team confiscated nearly 200 snares and destroyed several hideouts. They also supported the arrest of a number of bushmeat poachers, based on intel from informers. In November, the Galana Anti-Poaching Team took its inaugural patrol. This new unit was formed to provide additional security for the eastern boundary of Tsavo East and the bordering Galana and Kulalu Ranches, which is a favourite habitat for elephants. Bushmeat poaching, ivory poaching, and large-scale charcoal burning are the greatest concerns in this vast wilderness. Initially, the team was deployed to secure KARI Ranch. With that mission accomplished, they will focus on Galana and Kulalu Ranches in the coming year. Our Anti-Poaching Teams and Aerial Surveillance Unit work hand-in-hand to respond to developing situations. While our helicopter is on-call to deploy rangers to remote destinations, ground teams move in to cut off escape routes and confiscate any weapons or paraphernalia left behind. Over the course of the year, our Anti-Poaching Teams supported the arrest of 189 perpetrators for a variety of offenses, including bushmeat and ivory poaching, charcoal burning, illegal logging, and livestock encroachment. In March, the Meru Team arrested two notorious ivory poachers, who were caught red-handed in the park with poisoned arrows and poaching paraphernalia. Historically, the Tsavo Conservation Area has been poisoned arrow territory, which is a trademark of the local Kamba tribe. While our aerial and anti-poaching efforts have successfully thwarted this form of poaching, a new weapon of choice has emerged: the snare. These simple wire loops cinch around their victims and have an immortal lifespan, lying Total Number of Snares Removed by SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams
Arrests Made by SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams 2020
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in wait for any creature to cross their path. Snares are as indiscriminate as they are cruel, capable of trapping and taking down a creature as tiny as a dik-dik or as large as a bull elephant.
disturbingly, as a distraction method to tie up our teams with firefighting, so culprits could engage in illegal activities elsewhere. This is another concerning trend we must remain vigilant about.
That’s another example of where our Anti-Poaching Teams prove to be indispensable. With their incredible bush prowess, they are able to spot tell-tale signs of poaching activity - subtle disturbances in the ground, broken branches - where most would only see vegetation. They confiscated 9,067 snares over the course of 2020, which marks an 80 percent jump from the previous year. This tangibly illustrates the impact of boots on the ground: In locating and removing snares during their daily patrols, our teams spare all manner of creatures from becoming entangled in these death traps. Sometimes, they are even able to release trapped animals who are found alive. Bushmeat poaching has been growing steadily over the years, but the onset of COVID-19 certainly exacerbated matters. As communities bordering the parks grappled with the economic effects of the pandemic, many turned to subsistence poaching. To support people through these challenging times and dissuade them from illegal activities, we set up an extensive food assistance program for communities bordering the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Apart from their routine patrols, Anti-Poaching Teams support all manner of conservation activities. They are vital to our Mobile Veterinary Units, tracking wild patients for hours until the veterinarian arrives and monitoring them afterwards in case follow-up treatment is needed. Human-Wildlife Conflict continues to be on the rise, and over the course of 2020, the teams responded to countless reports of wildlife who had wandered onto community lands. Working with the Aerial Surveillance Unit, they pushed a total of 222 elephants back into the safety of the parks. Their actions not only save hundreds of wild lives each year, but also protect local communities and their livelihoods, as elephants often maraud onto smallholdings in search of crops. This is another example of conservation that benefits all parties involved: When locals know they can call upon our teams to intervene, they don’t resort to measures that lead to human-wildlife conflict.
Fires emerged as one of the greatest threats facing the Tsavo Conservation Area in 2020. Over the course of the year, a total of 81 bushfires blazed through the ecosystem. Alongside other field partners, our Anti-Poaching Units worked tirelessly day-and-night, battling the flames on the frontlines. Worryingly, the majority of these fires appeared to have been set deliberately. Culprits and causes varied: farmers clearing their farms adjoining the park, herders burning to create new graze for their cattle, poachers burning to make way for green grass and attract wildlife back into the area, as revenge for arrests made, and, most 75
Our Anti-Poaching Units are ever-evolving, adapting to meet the threats of today and get ahead of those on the horizon. When the ivory poaching crisis swept the country in the early 2010s, they rose to the challenge and effectively stamped it out in their operational areas. Ivory poaching was at an all-time low this year, and for the first time in 21 years, there were zero reported rhino poaching cases in Kenya. Wildlife Rangers have a proven impact on the welfare of our wild world. We continue to invest in training for the teams, ensuring that they are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to excel in their roles. While the threats facing our natural world are many and varied, these brave men are working on the frontlines to meet them head-on.
CANINE UNIT In 2016, the Canine Unit was established in partnership with the KWS to augment our anti-poaching efforts across the Tsavo Conservation Area. Now four years into its operations, this specialised team has emerged as one of our greatest assets in fighting wildlife crime. The mere presence of the Canine Unit acts as a powerful deterrent to wouldbe poachers, and the dogs and their handlers are exceptionally skilled at detecting illegal contraband and tracking down perpetrators. The Canine Unit evolved greatly last year. We retired two of the original dogs, Max and Tanya, who are now enjoying civilian life in wonderful homes in Kenya. Our training partners, Invictus K9, sourced two specialised Belgian Malinois from Holland to take Max and Tanya’s place. After extensive training overseas, Aya and Zora came to Tsavo, where they underwent more on-site training and took time to get acclimated. Now, a year into their posting, both dogs are thriving. Naiko rounds out the canine trio. At six years old, he is our most experienced tracker dog, with impressive endurance and drive. On the human side, the unit consists of five handlers, including a KWS corporal who serves as team leader, a driver, a cook, and a compound attendant. To further hone the Canine Unit’s detection and tracking skills, Invictus K9 conducted an intensive two-week training session at the Kaluku kennels in January. Due to the pandemic, all other planned training sessions for the year had to be cancelled. However, the Canine Team diligently continued their own weekly training schedule of tracking, detection, fitness, and discipline. The unusually prolonged rains at the beginning of 2020 all but erased the first dry season, resulting in a notable drop in illegal activities in the Tsavo Conservation Area. However, illegal activities picked back up around the middle of the year, likely due to the onset of the second dry season and the economic strain of the pandemic. The Canine Unit assisted the Tsavo-based Anti-Poaching Teams in several arrests over the course of the year. In one notable operation with the Mobile South Team, they were called in to follow poachers who had been seen exiting Tsavo West at Mangalete. The Canine Unit successfully tracked them down to their doorstep, and the perpetrators were arrested in possession of several kilograms of bushmeat. In April, a particularly striking demonstration of the Canine Unit’s abilities unfolded along the Yatta Plateau. The Trust’s helicopter deployed Naiko and his handler, Semeli, to help the Yatta Anti-Poaching Team follow the tracks of three poachers. Naiko was on the scent for over five hours, tracking the poachers across the plateau and down to the Athi River, where they crossed over into community lands. Unfortunately, the trail went cold, as the perpetrators boarded motorbikes upon entering community lands, but the operation showcased just how skilled Naiko and Semeli are at their craft. While the dogs stayed safely at home, the Canine Unit crew assisted in the four-day operation to fight the ‘Triangle’ fire. It was burning in the direction of the Kaluku base, but fortunately the teams were able to bring it under control well south of headquarters. When they aren’t training or on the trail, Naiko, Aya, and Zora recharge at our state-of-the-art kennels. Their handlers are attuned to the dogs’ every need, checking their vitals throughout the day and providing all the creature comforts they need to thrive. While Naiko, Aya, and Zora are all business out in the field, they enjoy long grooming sessions and lots of play back at home. To see the Canine Unit in action is to witness an extraordinary partnership unfold: man and dog, working together towards a shared goal. Every day, Naiko, Aya, Zora and their handlers deliver on that goal, making Tsavo a safer place for all who call it home.
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Aerial Unit 7 fixed-wing aircraft 2 helicopters 4 pilots 1,829 hours flown in 2020 238,315 kilometres covered in 2020 81 bushfires responded to in 2020
“Eyes in the sky provide an invaluable perspective to conservation, allowing us to tackle the greatest threats facing wildlife from a new front.” Our Aerial Unit conducts patrols across the Tsavo Conservation Area and Lamu District, monitoring wildlife populations and identifying illegal activities. They also support ground teams, offering a rapid response to antipoaching operations, incidents of human-wildlife conflict, and veterinary treatments. Our fleet has expanded to seven fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters. We purchased two new planes in 2020, a Carbon Cub STR and Cessna Caravan STW. The STR will support aerial operations by transporting rangers and ground teams, monitoring endangered species, responding to veterinary emergencies and human-wildlife conflict, supporting firefighting efforts, and conducting seed dispersal for reforestation projects. The STW is our largest airplane yet, with the ability to perform night operations and the capacity to carry up to ten passengers plus the pilot. It will be used to move personnel, rangers, and tracker dogs to areas of operation; transport orphaned elephants and other wildlife; and carry out medical evacuations and veterinary treatments through the Sky Vets program. The Eurocopter CXP, which has been a vital part of our Aerial Unit since 2017, underwent its 12-year maintenance inspection beginning in February. This was a mandatory teardown of the entire aircraft, so all components could be inspected and replaced where needed. It took five months to complete, but the result is a helicopter that looks and flies like new.
Each aircraft serves a unique function, augmenting our field efforts:
TopCub (DTP): Cub Crafters took the original, famous Piper SuperCub and redesigned it, keeping what made the SuperCub so great and making it even better with modern aerodynamics and wing structure, increasing the gross weight carrying capacity and adding a 180 HP engine. The TopCub has become the benchmark of backcountry surveillance, flying in and out of very rough, unprepared surfaces with ease. Our pilots spend up to six hours at a time in slow flight, around 60 MPH, patrolling the vast landscape of Tsavo effectively because of the TopCub’s all-round visibility. Our SuperCubs are without doubt the backbone of our airwing operations, flying around 200,000 kilometres a year on patrol.
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SuperCub (STP): This aircraft is an original SuperCub that has been modified and modernised, including increased gross weight, bigger 180 HP engine, and an amazing “Wide Body” conversion, which adds four inches to cabin width. With huge Tundra Tyres and the more comfortable wider cabin, STP is perfect for bush flying patrol work. It is a firm favourite amongst our pilots, as she flies beautifully and just wants to get off the ground and fly!
Carbon Cub FX3 (STR): Our newest Cub, the FX3, where to start? With the FX3, Cub Crafters has once again set the bar very high indeed. They took a Carbon Cub and added a slew of features including an enhanced engine, constant speed propeller, wide cabin space, higher gross weight capacity, and modern avionics, to make one of the most amazing bush planes on the market today. For example, you can take off from a sand bank next to a river in ten rotations of the big 35 inch tundra tires, climb at 1,500 feet per minute, pull the prop RPM back and quickly cruise back to base at 140 MPH with a digital auto pilot. The FX3 will take patrolling the park to a new level.
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SuperCub PA 14 (TRA): This is a larger four-place version of the standard “Tandem Two-Seat” Super Cub. Fitted with huge 35-inch Tundra Tyres, this aircraft is ideally suited to carry three people and some luggage — for example, a veterinarian and his assistant, with tranquillising equipment and drug box — and land in a remote river bed or an open field to treat an injured elephant. This is a fantastically versatile aircraft and is a favourite amongst our pilots.
Cessna 185 (DHS): This particular model aircraft by Cessna is a tail wheel aircraft and has proven over many decades to be a very robust and versatile bush plane. DHS has a slightly bigger more powerful engine which makes the STOL (Short Take Off and Landing) capabilities almost unrivalled for a six-place aircraft. For us, DHS is especially suited for bush airstrip operations, where you need to get further, faster. It is ideal for transporting our veterinarians and their team to and from remote bush strips when the need arises.
Cessna 206 (CFZ): The 206 is Cessna’s infamous tough truck. Like the Cessna 185, the 206 is renowned for its reliable, tough load carrying capabilities, making it a favourite amongst many-a bush pilot all over the world. For us, this aircraft is most suited for carrying personnel to further afield places or, for example, to fly one of our sniffer dogs and a handler up to Nairobi for specialist treatment.
Cessna “Baby” Caravan 208 (STW):
New to the SWT Airwing, the Cessna Caravan is one of Cessna’s best-selling aircraft and is widely regarded as the premier medium-sized bush plane. This very robust aircraft can carry eleven people, including the pilot, or haul a massive amount of cargo or rescued wildlife in and out of rugged terrain. The vast majority of our orphaned elephants have been carried back to the Nursery in a Cessna Caravan. Equipped with the latest avionics technology, this aircraft can safely fly in most weather conditions and is ideal for night operations. This aircraft is equipped with a “Life Port” system for medical evacuations.
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Airbus AS350 B3 (CXP): Getting our first helicopter has been a game-changer. Being fortunate enough to have an Airbus AS350 has taken our operations to a whole new level. This helicopter is so versatile: In anti-poaching operations, it drops our sniffer dogs and handlers at remote, inaccessible sites. In human-wildlife conflict operations, it shepherds wildlife back into parks and reserves. During fire-fighting efforts, it drops water on fires with a Bambi Bucket. It can sling-load cargo into difficult-to-get to places; conduct medical evacuations of injured personnel, taking them from site directly to hospital; and support our veterinarians, providing a perfect platform for them to dart wildlife from the air. If there was one piece of equipment that has dramatically changed our operations for the better, it would be this helicopter.
Airbus EC120 (CXT): This is the smaller of our two helicopters. Still, with its robust Airbus technology and TurboMeca turbine engine, this five-seater helicopter is ideal for discrete operations thanks to its lower noise profile and effective manoeuvrability. The fenestron closed tail rotor makes for effective manoeuvrability and safety when landing in limited space deep in the bush. We use it for economical surveillance, patrol work, responding to human-wildlife conflict, medical evacuations, and deploying rangers and sniffer dogs. If conditions are right, it is used on many veterinary cases to dart wildlife from the air and land close by for the vet to jump out to treat the animal. 2020 was an extraordinarily eventful year for our Airwing. Our four pilots and two relief pilots logged a total of 1,829 hours, covering over 230,000 kilometres. It began on an unusual note, as the short rains continued well into the new year. With a decade’s worth of rains rolled into one extended season, the Tsavo Conservation Area transformed into a vast blanket of green. This contributed to a marked decline in poaching activity: With plentiful food and water available, wildlife dispersed across the ecosystem and remained camouflaged in the dense vegetation, making it difficult for poachers to target animals. One exciting development was the return of elephants to South Kitui National Reserve. They had all but abandoned this sector of the Tsavo Conservation Area for nearly a decade, but beginning in February, our pilots began seeing large herds within the reserve. During one memorable patrol, they spotted more than 130 elephants. Even just a few years ago, it was unheard of to find such a large concentration of the species in South Kitui.
The rains continued well into April. While there was a lull in illegal activity, it did not come to a full-out stop. During their daily patrols, our pilots identified a number of camps belonging to loggers, charcoal burners, and bushmeat poachers. They also responded to livestock incursions, pushed marauding elephants back onto protected land, and supported the Mobile Veterinary Unit in several treatments. This demonstrates just how important it is to maintain a dedicated aerial presence, even during seemingly peaceful times.
In fact, our pilots were treated to several remarkable wildlife sightings during this time. All of Tsavo’s creatures experienced a baby boom, but especially its elephants. Most herds had new-born calves scuttling in their midst. Our pilots saw several pairs of elephant calves that looked identical in size, indicating that there were at least a few sets of twins born in Tsavo. Their very survival would indicate the exceptionally favourable conditions into which they were born, as calves are notoriously greedy feeders. Giraffes also experienced a notable baby boom, and pilots also spotted a miraculous set of giraffe twins.
The pandemic brought much of the world to a standstill. Our pilots had a unique view into the implications of lockdowns, notably a dramatic reduction in pollution. They were treated to several crystal-clear sightings of Mount Kilimanjaro all the way from north of Tsavo East. On one patrol over the Kibwezi Forest, they even spotted Mount Meru, which sits behind Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and is normally invisible from such a distance.
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Despite the onset of the pandemic, our airwing continued its work at full force. There were some new operating procedures; notably, our pilots began flying on patrols alone, instead of bringing along a KWS ranger as was the standard. While they didn’t observe a pandemic-related spike in illegal activities from the air, there was definitely an increase in findings on the ground, particularly in terms of bushmeat poaching.
May marked the onset of the long-delayed dry season, and with it came a rise in illegal activity. Our pilots
remained vigilant in their patrols, and aerial sightings led to the arrests of several bushmeat poachers caught red-handed. Apart from poaching, they also witnessed an increase in charcoal burning, logging, and livestock incursions. While the dry season spurred an escalation in illegal activities, our pilots were also treated to some wonderful scenes in May. A herd aggregation comprising more than 600 elephants was seen in the southern sector of Tsavo East, along with unusual sightings of aardwolf and striped hyenas. The next several months were very challenging, as a spate of bushfires plagued the Tsavo Conservation Area on an unprecedented scale. Over the course of the year, our teams responded to 81 bushfires. Ironically, the earlier rains played a key role in fuelling the flames: The proliferation of vegetation that flourished at the beginning of the year became bone dry, transforming the landscape into a veritable tinderbox. The aircrafts played a pivotal role in fighting these fires. An aerial perspective is vital in coordinating ground efforts, flying ahead to identify suitable points from which to start backburning and notifying teams of any jumps in the flames. Equipped with the Bambi bucket, which can carry up to 8,000 litres of water at a time, the helicopter logged countless hours collecting water and dousing them over the flames. In early August, a behemoth fire erupted in Tsavo West. A three-day operation unfolded to bring the flames under control, with teams working day and night, in the air and on the frontlines. Our planes, limited to six hours of fuel each, worked three shifts to cover the fire from morning until last light, while the helicopter doused flames with the Bambi bucket and coordinated ground teams. In response to the rising threat of fires, we invested in a second Bambi bucket for backup support. When they weren’t busy fighting fires or conducting routine patrols, our airwing spent the latter half of the year assisting in numerous veterinary operations. While ivory poaching was down — a testament to the impact of a coordinated presence on the ground and in the air — our pilots did respond to several arrowed and speared elephants who had been targeted by poachers. Bushmeat poaching, on the other hand, was on the rise. The pilots assisted in the treatment of all manner of snare victims, from painted dogs to elephants to buffalos. Although bushmeat poaching has been a growing issue over the years, it was exacerbated by the economic pressures inflicted by the pandemic. Another notable veterinary
operation our airwing supported was the translocation of seven male elephants out of Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary and into the greater Tsavo West National Park, which occurred in August. The long-anticipated rains arrived at the end of October, bringing the scourge of bushfires to an end. They also caused a drop in poaching activities, as local community members focused on preparing their farms and tending to their crops. However, thousands of head of livestock migrated to areas of the Park that received the first rains. Our pilots located the herders so ground teams could intervene, and by the end of the month, only a few bomas remained. Towards the end of November, we conducted an aerial seed bombing run over KARI Ranch. Focusing on severely degraded areas where charcoal burning had targeted specific species of trees, our pilots dispersed over 11,000 seed balls. Throughout the year, but particularly in its latter months, the airwing responded to all manner of Human-Wildlife Conflict incidents. In December alone, pilots responded to 12 elephant-related callouts. Time is of the essence in these cases: Marauding elephants present a danger to lives and livelihoods, and it is vital that we intervene before they raid a farmer’s crops or engage in activities that incite retaliatory violence from local communities. Fortunately, our pilots are well-practiced in HumanWildlife Conflict mitigation. They pushed several large herds back onto protected areas, including 145 elephants in a single incident. The year ended with several spectacular wildlife sightings, including rhinos with young calves underfoot, lions swimming across the Galana River, and even an elusive leopard carrying a fresh kill. These are just a few of the creatures our pilots are flying to protect, day in and day out, through rains and droughts, fires and crystal-clear conditions.
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A Pilot’s Perspective: Andy Payne’s Notes From The Fire 2020 was a year unlike any other that I’ve experienced in Tsavo and not just because of the effects that COVID-19 had on our operations. The most welcome outcome from last year was the very noticeable decrease in ivory poaching and treatments of injured elephants, which are most often caused by failed poaching attempts. We can attribute this positive trend to increased ground and aerial patrols over the past few years, which has made life increasingly harder for poachers targeting Tsavo’s elephants. This is a result that all of us involved in protecting Tsavo’s elephants can be proud of. Looking back on the past twelve months, the biggest challenge by far that we faced in the field was an insanely busy fire season. In a typical Tsavo dry season, we would expect to be combating fires in the Chyulu Hills National Park between August and October and we are well-prepared for this annual task. This year, fires raged throughout the Tsavo Conservation Area starting in June and only ending with the onset of rains in October. Never in the recent history of Tsavo has there been a fire season which has simultaneously affected Tsavo East National Park, Tsavo West National Park, Chyulu Hills National Park, and the Taita Taveta ranches. The favourable conditions for widespread fires were made possible by two exceptional consecutive rainy seasons, which saw an explosion of ground cover and then the dry season brought about sustained strong winds which rapidly dried out the abundant vegetation. These strong dry winds, high daytime temperatures, and abundant dry fuel set the scene for a blazing fire season across Tsavo. The root causes of the fires were varied, from illegal livestock herders burning tall dry grass to make way for new green shoots for their animals, to bushmeat poachers using the same tactic to lure wildlife to the irresistible green grass. Neighbouring farmers burn their fields yearly in preparation for a new crop and many of these unchecked fires spread into adjoining protected areas. The most common and frustrating cause were poachers intentionally setting multiple fires to distract the security teams, so that they could go about their illegal activities or as acts of revenge against previous arrests. For several months, our Anti-Poaching Units and airwing were at the forefront of the fight. On many occasions, we were battling several fires in different locations across the Tsavo Conservation Area. I recall one such busy day in early August, which began with a dawn departure from Kaluku to the ‘Maktau’ fire in Tsavo West. On arrival, the first task of an aircraft was to conduct a recce of the area to establish which fires posed the biggest threat, so that we could direct ground teams and equipment to that site. The fire crew, comprising of KWS, SWT, and other stakeholder rangers, had been battling fires throughout the night and were waiting for incoming teams to take over. The vast plains surrounding Maktau had several active fires which were still fairly small, as the morning was relatively cold and the wind was calm, which were perfect conditions to attack these fires before they got out of control. A water bombing ‘Bambi Bucket’ was rigged up to the belly of SWT’s AS350B3 helicopter and once the system had been thoroughly tested on the ground, I began scooping earthy brown water from a nearby seasonal pan. Flying low and slow over the targeted section of fire, I depressed a switch on the cyclic and released an 820 litre stream of water which extinguished a 30-metre line of fire. For aerial water bombing to be really effective on large grass fires, the heli has to work in tandem with the ground crew. Once the water is dropped onto a line of fire, the ground crew rush in with beaters and backpack sprayers to ensure that the section is properly extinguished before they move ahead. The process repeats itself until the fire is hopefully brought under control. Otherwise, once the morning temperatures heat up and the wind starts blowing, these conditions breathe life into the fire and quickly take the advantage away from us. By late morning, the temperature was hovering around the 30-degree mark and the wind was blowing in excess of 25 knots, the fire lines rapidly grew several kilometres long, with the flames at the head of the fire rising several meters into the air. Water bombing in these conditions is ineffective and we found the most successful way to attack these enormous fire heads was to back burn along a road or water course, several kilometres ahead of the advancing fire. 91
This change of tactic requires moving all crew, vehicles, water bowsers and equipment to the selected road, so that back burning could commence. It is often a race against time. The helicopter, in conjunction with the fixed-wing aircraft overhead, takes on another vital role, that of communicating the change of plan and the coordinates of the new site to all the ground teams. This in itself can be quite a task, as the participating organisations all use different means of communication. It’s a busy time in the pilot’s seat, juggling two radios and a mobile phone, desperately trying to get all crew to move to the new target area. In this case, not all the ground crews were in radio contact and were scattered all over the plains each tackling different sections of fire, so I decided the best use of the helicopter would be to land at each vehicle to pass on the new plan and coordinates. I airlifted many members of the crew and their gear directly to the advancing wall of fire, to save time whilst their vehicle followed. After rounding up enough crew and dropping them into position, a quick demonstration in back burning was performed and the wary rangers began burning along a two-kilometre section of road. Soon, all crew and equipment had made their way to the fire and under the direction of the two aircraft overhead were frantically back burning and checking that there were no gaps in their back burn. It was a very close call, as the overwhelming fire head met the back burn just minutes after the ground crew had completed their task. This ultimately saved the day. The feeling of relief was enormous to see such a huge danger stopped in its tracks. Ground crew, already fatigued from several days of firefighting, were now exhausted after another long day on the job. Pilots turned their aircraft towards base and looked forward to landing and stretching out their cramped bodies after six or seven hours of flying in challenging conditions, demanding full concentration. En route back to Kaluku base, my thoughts of a meal and rest were interrupted by a radio call from the SWT Control Room: “Could you go via the Chyulu Hills and sling a few drums of water into position for the teams preparing to tackle another fire on the slopes this evening?” The answer, of course, was, “Yes we can!” That was just one day out of 81 which the SWT spent fire fighting across the Tsavo Conservation Area this year.
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Saving Habitats Kibwezi Forest and Chyulu Hills
Kibwezi Forest Apiary
In 2008, we were presented with the opportunity to fund, manage, and protect the Kibwezi Forest in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service. At the time, the forest was severely degraded due to years of bushmeat poaching, logging, charcoal harvesting, and livestock incursions. On signing the agreement, our first step was to secure the boundary by erecting fencelines that connected the Kibwezi Forest with the adjacent Chyulu Hills National Park. We employed 45 members of the local community to conduct daily patrols, working in tandem with our staff to ensure that this ambitious project was maintained. Over the years, we have augmented our conservation efforts through two dedicated Anti-Poaching Teams based in the Kibwezi Forest, regular aerial surveillance, and continued infrastructure support.
We built an apiary at Umani Springs that can hold about 15 beehives. We currently have five occupied CAB hives, which are an improved version of the traditional langstroth hives, and these should yield honey by early 2021. We also purchased 14 modern log hives to trial. Four of these are already hanging in trees, ready to attract new colonies, while the remaining ten are still in construction. Research indicates that log hives offer the bees better protection from pests such as wax moths and wasps, making them more likely to survive dry seasons.
The Kibwezi Forest serves as a graphic example of nature’s extraordinary powers of recovery when it is protected. By securing its boundary, we mitigated human-wildlife conflict with the bordering community and shielded the ecosystem from the ravages of man. Every year since our concession commenced in the Kibwezi Forest, we have seen a significant increase in wildlife numbers and a decrease in illegal activities. Now, more than a decade on, this environmentally rich site has been restored to its natural splendour. Elephants have returned to the forest, trees are growing taller, and rains have returned to normal. Umani Springs Reintegration Unit Umani Springs is currently home to 14 orphaned elephants who are being reintegrated back into the wild. Ziwa, Faraja, Jasiri, Ngasha, Alamaya, and Zongoloni have become semi-independent, staying out at night while spending most days with the dependent herd. While these six orphans may soon outgrow Umani Springs, the herd grew by two this year, with the arrival of Luggard and Enkesha from the Nursery. The gentle forest environment has had a transformative effect on Luggard, who is thriving despite all his physical impediments. We also constructed a new stockade complex to accommodate the other orphans being cared for at Umani Springs, including a bushbuck and a duiker. Two more stables have been built at Kenze, to accommodate more non-elephant orphans.
Kibwezi Forest Tree Planting Teams in the Kibwezi Forest took advantage of the extraordinarily wet weather and coordinated a number of tree plantings. These sessions were well attended by members of the local community, along with the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service. In total, we exceeded our target to plant 70,000 trees in the Kibwezi Forest, Chyulu Hills, and surrounding community lands by year-end. Conservation and Protection Program Firefighting exercises took on a whole new significance in the Chyulu Hills this year, as we grappled with a spate of bushfires that threatened to destroy much of the park. As an ongoing annual exercise, we graded new roads to serve as fire breaks and maintained a network of others to help keep the forest safe. Despite the very present threats to conservation, wildlife populations continue to flourish within the Kibwezi Forest and illegal activity is down. Sustainable Tourism Umani Springs Eco Lodge, our camp nestled in the heart of the Kibwezi Forest, continues to be a favourite destination for domestic and international guests alike. When Kenya went into lockdown at the onset of the pandemic, tourism came to a standstill, providing us with the opportunity to embark on upgrades and essential maintenance to the lodge, the surrounding road network and nature trails, and sundowner deck. Bookings resumed around the middle of the year.
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Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project
KARI Ranch (Kiboko Ranch)
The REDD+ (reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation) Project is a global initiative to mitigate climate change in developing countries. The Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project is a partnership between ourselves, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service, Big Life Foundation, Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust, and four group ranches on the western side of the Chyulu Hills. Collectively, these partners own or manage 410,533.84 hectares of wilderness, including Chyulu Hills National Park (KWS), a sector of Tsavo West National Park (KWS), the Kibwezi Forest (KFS, managed by us), Mbirikani Group Ranch, Kuku Ranch, Kuku A Ranch, and Rombo Ranch. At the launch of the project, around two million carbon credits were available for sale.
In 2019, we finalised a meaningful partnership with Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Institute (KARLO) to protect and manage KARI Ranch, a 63,321-acre wilderness spread across the foothills of the Chyulu Hills. Because it lies within a zone of recent volcanic activity, this land is a marginal agriculture zone, but an important foraging and drinking area for wildlife. Given Chyulu Hills National Park lacks surface water, all manner of creatures come to KARI Ranch to avail themselves of its natural springs. This initiative also has special meaning for our Orphans’ Project: When the Umani Springs orphaned elephants are reintegrated back into the wild, having this area protected and secured is absolutely vital, as it will inevitably form part of their of their stomping grounds.
In 2020, we were allocated funds from the sale of carbon credits to Gucci, allowing us to begin construction on a new road along the eastern side of the Chyulu Hills. This will provide vital access points for teams responding to fires and form a break to prevent fires that originate on the eastern boundary of Chyulu Hills National Park from moving uphill into the cloud forest. Our Anti-Poaching teams will also benefit from better mobility during patrols, as there is currently limited and challenging road access. Throughout 2020, we also worked closely with our REDD+ partners to develop a community outreach programme targeting those who live along the eastern boundary of Chyulu Hills National Park. These communities do not fall within the project area and therefore do not earn money from the sale of carbon credits. However, Chyulu Hills Conservation Trust Board, which manages the Chyulu Hills REDD+ Project, decided to make this strategic investment. As part of the programme, we will provide 90 bursaries and a number of smaller projects, including water tanks and beehives. This outreach gives the REDD+ Project an opportunity to spread the message about carbon credits and the benefits of protecting Kenya’s biodiversity. Another carbon credit sale came through in late 2020, and we are now preparing for the verification process to get new credits to sell. While plot sampling is ongoing, Kibwezi has demonstrated the greatest increase in carbon stock of any area. Looking forward and in response to the unprecedented issues of fires this year, the Board has set aside $250,000 to address fires in Chyulu Hills National Park starting in 2021. Partners will work together, possibly with outside consultation, to develop and implement a robust fire strategy.
Historically, KARI Ranch and the adjacent Chyulu Hills suffered from the effects of human-wildlife conflict, illegal livestock grazing, charcoal burning, bushmeat and ivory poaching, and human encroachment. Most of these threats originated from the unfenced eastern border, which abuts community lands that are used for subsistence farming. At the onset of our partnership, we immediately began plans to construct an elephant exclusion fence to alleviate the Human-Wildlife Conflict on this precarious boundary. We also deployed a third full time Anti-Poaching Team to the Chyulu area, providing dedicated surveillance and security. The fence was completed in late August. Stretching 45 kilometres, it is a continuation of the Chyulu Hills National Park / Kibwezi Forest fenceline, albeit with a different configuration. Intended as an elephant exclusion fence, the KARI Ranch fenceline features a three-strand, five-feet-high design with outrigger wires. By deterring elephants from leaving the protected area, this fenceline spares neighbouring farms from crop-raiding and mitigates human-wildlife conflict. It also serves the dual purpose of protecting the ranch from would-be poachers and other illegal activities. Teams of askaris, who are based at seven outposts along the fenceline, conduct daily patrols. They attend to any damage to the fence and report breaches to the SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams. Illegal livestock incursions had been a persistent problem on KARI Ranch, but as of October, the last of the herds have been removed. This had a very positive impact on local wildlife populations, as they no longer had to compete with livestock for precious food and water 96
resources. Wildlife from Chyulu Hills National Park and neighbouring ranches have subsequently moved into KARI Ranch, and there has been a noticeable increase in elephant herds in the area. Patrol teams also reported a rise in eland, hartebeest, zebra, and giraffe populations. We are hopeful that Chyulu Hills National Park’s resident rhino population will also wander onto KARI Ranch, as it is part of their traditional rangelands. Our Chyulu Anti-Poaching Teams had a very productive year. Through their daily patrols, they thwarted all manner of illegal activities on KARI Ranch, from charcoal burning to timber harvesting to livestock incursions. They also proved to be a powerful force against poaching, making several significant arrests of bushmeat and wildlife trophy poachers. Last but certainly not least, surrounding communities have benefitted enormously from our presence in KARI Ranch. The elephant exclusion fence has been a lifeline, sparing their crops from marauding elephants and protecting lives and livelihoods in the process. Since the fenceline was completed and the gates were closed, there has not been a single report of Human-Wildlife Conflict around KARI Ranch or south at Kibwezi. Both of these areas used to be significant conflict zones, especially during the short rains. Just last year, we attended to numerous callouts in this particular area, after elephants dispersed onto farm lands and caused extensive damage. This initiative is a shining example of conservation solutions that benefit both wildlife and the people who live alongside them, and our efforts within KARI have been firmly embraced by the community and county government as a result. Project Amu and Witu Forest Tucked along the northern coast of Kenya is a jewel of biodiversity. Amu Ranch and Witu Forest make up a fragile but resilient environment, home to one of the largest mangrove forests in the world and some of the oldest coastal forests in Africa. Aware of the threats facing this precious habitat, we entered a collaborative conservation partnership with the Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, and local stakeholders. Since 2012, we have provided financial support and management expertise to the Lamu Conservation Trust (LCT), a community-led umbrella organisation that manages and preserves the wildlife and marine ecologies of the greater Lamu region.
Essential Infrastructure: We fund essential infrastructure and operating costs, including the construction of camps and outposts, the salaries of rangers who secure the area, and the purchase of equipment and vehicles. We also created a road network spanning more than 300 kilometres, which provides vital access for security patrols. In 2020, we focused on the continued maintenance of the vehicle fleet, upgrades to the camp’s residential buildings and amenities, and the installation of a digital VHF radio system with tracking capabilities. Security staff received several in-house trainings to hone their patrol techniques, first aid, and other essential skills. Lamu Conservation Trust Tree Nursery: As many parts of Amu and the Witu Forest suffered historic degradation, reforestation efforts remain a top priority. We cover the cost of these initiatives, including the running costs of Lamu Conservation Trust Tree Nursery. In 2020, we nearly doubled the nursery to accommodate 19,271 indigenous tree seedlings. Over the course of the year, we distributed and planted 9,524 indigenous trees both inside and outside of Amu Ranch. We also embarked on a large-scale mangrove reforestation initiative in partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects. Combating Illegal Activity: Over the years, we have largely gotten illegal activity under control within Amu and Witu, but some pervasive threats remain. To this end, we expanded the scope of our anti-poaching operations with the completion of Iwidho Joint Patrol Camp. In 2020, 17 bushmeat poachers were arrested. Our patrol teams destroyed five hunting camps, confiscated 51 cable snares, and recovered one motorbike and three bicycles used by perpetrators. Squatters remain another issue in the area, and 16 main syndicate leaders were arrested and prosecuted over the course of the year. Orphaned Wildlife: Amu is home to an eclectic herd of orphaned wildlife, a number of whom were successfully reintegrated back into the wild in 2020, including a buffalo, zebra, monkey, oribi, two topis, and 14 Egyptian geese. The dependent orphan herd includes Mukugunya the zebra, Konambaya and Pangani the buffalos, Ngwazile the duiker, and Wido the oribi. In time, these orphans will also be reintegrated into the protected Amu ecosystem.
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Amu Ranch
Peregrine Conservation Area and Tsavo Farm The Peregrine Conservation Area was established in 1997 as an important buffer zone along Tsavo East National Park. Over the years, we have purchased land as it becomes available, creating more protected space for wildlife and further securing segments of Tsavo’s boundaries. In total, we now protect approximately 4,500 acres within the Peregrine Conservation Area. Once devoid of wildlife, the area is now home to all manner of species. Herds of elephants have taken up permanent residence during the dry seasons and a number have remained in the area, even throughout the rains. In years past, elephants would only dare move around at night, fearing reprisal from local communities. This is a tangible demonstration of the trust we have forged with our wild neighbours in the Peregrine Conservation Area. Tsavo Farm is situated on the periphery of the Peregrine Conservation area and provides valuable employment for the surrounding community. To expand upon our sustainable farming methods, we installed a 17,000-litre aquaponics system at Tsavo Farm. Up to 600 tilapia fish can be kept in two 4,000-litre tanks, which drain into 12 grow beds inside the greenhouse, where vegetables grow in a lava stone fed by the fish waste. This is an extremely environmentally friendly means of farming; vegetables grown through aquaponics require 10 percent of the water needed to grow the same crops through conventional, soil-based agriculture. Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is one of Kenya’s first community-owned wildlife sanctuaries. Spanning 60,000 acres, it provides critical habitat for elephants linking the Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the north and Shimba Hills National park to the south. When ivory poaching reached its peak in Tsavo in the 1970s and 1980s, elephants sought refuge in the forested Shimba hills towards the coast. In the following decades, human encroachment has inhibited their migratory passage to Tsavo. The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, which was established in 1994, compensates community members for leasing their farmland adjacent to the Mwalunganje Forest Reserve increasing vital habitat for Shimba’s elephant population. Working with the Kenya Forest Service and Kenya Wildlife Service, we subsidise this initiative by funding sanctuary staff wages, covering essential maintenance and equipment, and compensating the 300 private landowners who dedicate their land to conservation. This level of financial support is always vital, but especially this year, when tourism all but came to a standstill and halted other revenue streams for the sanctuary. 99
Kimana Sanctuary
With the support of KWS, scouts conduct regular patrols. While ivory poaching is under control, bushmeat poaching is on the rise, particularly in the adjacent lands. In response to this, teams have ramped up their surveillance, confiscating snares and reporting cases. Just one veterinary intervention took place in Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary in 2020, in which the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was called in to treat a young bull who had been spotted with a snare around its rear leg. The snare was not thick, indicating that it was likely intended for smaller bushmeat, and Dr. Poghon is hopeful the elephant will make a full recovery. This year we funded a contractor to rehabilitate the sanctuaries entire road network which had fallen into disrepair as a result of the torrential rains in recent years. Because the sanctuary is so verdant, it is challenging to get an accurate count of its elephant population. However, recent aerial patrols have sighted well over 100 individuals at a time, and it appears that herds with young calves favour this area. Support for Mount Kenya National Park In light of human encroachment, Mount Kenya National Park has effectively become an “island” surrounded on all sides by dense settlement and agriculture. Mount Kenya Trust was established to sustainably manage and protect Mount Kenya’s biodiversity through the power of partnership. For nearly four years, we have supported Mount Kenya Trust and their dedicated mobile camping patrols, funding equipment, rations, and logistics. In 2016, we donated a Land Rover Defender 4x4 to the team, which continues to be an invaluable asset to all operations. Through regular mobile camping patrols, Mount Kenya Trust is able to more comprehensively secure the mountain and surrounding areas. Because of the economic pressures imposed by the pandemic, many of Mount Kenya Trust’s other partners had to reduce or halt funding in 2020. However, these same economic pressures drove an increase in illegal activities, as local communities grappled with rising unemployment and other challenges. We remained committed to funding the Mount Kenya Trust, and they were able to double down on patrols to combat rising threats such as bushmeat poaching. Two elephant population surveys have been carried out on Mount Kenya by Dr Hilde Vanleewee from the Wildlife Conservation Society. The first survey took place 2016, and then a comparative survey was completed in 2020.
It found that elephant density has remained stable on Mount Kenya, with as many as 2,558 individuals in the area. However, illegal threats have increased by 51 percent since 2016. Illegal logging multiplied more than threefold, while livestock encroachment increased by 75 percent. Looking forward, camping patrols are more important than ever, as boots on the ground demonstratively reduce these pervasive threats to conservation. Kimana Corridor and Sanctuary Over the years, dispersal areas and wildlife corridors have continued to shrink. Kimana Sanctuary is one of the last remaining open tracts that connects Amboseli to the Chyulu Hills and Tsavo ecosystem. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro and spanning just 5,700 acres, it is a small but critical area that allows safe passage to elephants and other migratory species. It is also a permanent home to all manner of creatures, from big cats to plains creatures. In 2018, we entered a partnership with Big Life Foundation and local Maasai landowners to ensure this vital corridor remains protected for generations to come. SWT covers the annual lease fees for both Kimana Corridor and the Sanctuary, providing local land owners with a competitive income stream. This model offers a powerful incentive for communities to use their land for conservation, instead of farming. Big Life, meanwhile, oversees Kimana’s daily management, employing 57 community game rangers who create a safe zone and combat poaching and other illegal activities. While tourism income dipped in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, Kimana Sanctuary continued to operate as in previous years. Staff numbers were maintained, and patrols continued as usual. When Kenya’s lockdown restrictions were lifted, visitor numbers increased to levels equal to 2019, which demonstrates what a valued destination Kimana has become. There were no poaching incidents or significant illegal grazing incursions the entire year. Human-Wildlife Conflict remains an issue, particularly along the northern boundary, which is unfenced due to the ongoing border dispute. Looking forward, rangers will continue to focus on this area, while also conducting regular patrols throughout the rest of the Sanctuary. Reforestation Efforts Forests feed all forms of life — and the loss of trees has a devastating effect on habitats, wildlife, communities, and even the climate. However, human activities are 102
destroying our planet’s forests on a massive scale. Every year, deforestation wipes out an area of forest about the size of the United Kingdom. We are working to reverse that trend across Kenya through our ambitious reforestation programs. Our reforestation efforts are a joint undertaking between our Saving Habitats and Community Outreach conservation projects, as our goal is twofold: to bring ravaged habitats back to life and to support and get buy-in from local communities. We have three tree nurseries located in key ecosystems: the verdant Chyulu Hills and the Kibwezi Forest, the arid plains of Tsavo, and the tropical coastlines of Amu Ranch and Lamu. We nurture tens of thousands of saplings, choosing all manner of indigenous trees that are suited for the environment. For instance, we focus on the hearty acacia, “nature’s superfood,” because it provides valuable sustenance to wildlife during the dry season. In recent years, we have increased melia plantings, a hardwood that has been depleted through illegal logging. All saplings grown in our Kibwezi Forest, Kaluku, and Tsavo Farm Tree Nurseries are distributed to where they are needed most. We work closely with local communities, sharing why these reforestation efforts are so important and how trees impact all aspects of life. Over the years, our Tree Nurseries have provided many thousands of indigenous tree saplings to schools and communities bordering the Tsavo Conservation. This serves the dual purpose of replenishing forests, rehabilitating degraded areas also while providing valuable employment to the women who so lovingly nurture our seedlings. As a result of this outreach, communities understand how they benefit from conserving, as opposed to denuding, their forests. We see this first-hand through the many local volunteers who come out in full force for tree plantings, eager to learn and very generous with their time. Our Community Liaison Officer oversees the distribution and planting efforts. In 2020, these tree planting initiatives took place within Kibwezi Forest, the Chyulu Hills National Park and KARI ranch. Importantly ,we don’t just plant the trees, but also place great emphasis on husbandry necessary to ensure what is planted grows successfully. Sometimes, this requires several years of water supplementation through the dry seasons. Thankfully, we have teams and resources in the areas where we plant, enabling this level of oversight. At the end of 2019, our team began planting out a woodlot at Tsavo Farm, with 2,662 moringa and 750 melia saplings tended to daily. To enhance our existing Kaluku Tree Nursery, we are establishing a new site that will be able to produce 40,000 trees per year. There are currently over 10,000 indigenous seedlings at this tree nursery, which will be replanted on Trust land or supplement the acacias grown at the Umani Springs Tree Nursery. We are also growing moringa along with neem to donate to local communities. Mangrove Reforestation Lamu County is home to around 33,500 hectares of mangrove forest, representing 60 percent of the mangroves found in Kenya. Mangroves are vital ecosystems, functioning as buffers between land and sea, which provides essential protection against extreme weather and flooding. As in other parts of the world, mangroves in Kenya are endangered. For more than a century, these forests have been exploited for mangrove poles, charcoal, and other local uses, leading to large-scale degradation and deforestation. To expand upon our large-scale terrestrial tree-plantings across Lamu, we embarked on an ambitious initiative to restore the severely degraded mangrove forests along the coast. In partnership with Eden Reforestation Projects, we offer mangrove reforestation as an alternative to mangrove cutting, supporting impoverished coastal communities in the process. Work began in the channel of Milihoi, where 159 hectares have been fully deforested and over 1000 hectares have been severely degraded. Already, 20 locals have been hired for the project, planting 1.9 million mangroves in Milihoi since work began in July 2020. We are incredibly proud of this new initiative, which will continue to create local employment opportunities and result in the planting of millions of mangroves. These trees will create new habitats for wildlife and marine life, store massive amounts of carbon, and protect the fragile Lamu coastline and those who live alongside it.
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Water for Wildlife Water, or lack thereof, is a growing problem across Kenya. Exacerbated by the effects of climate change, droughts are growing longer and more frequent, which can decimate wildlife populations. This is especially true for elephants, a species whose very existence is contingent on readily available water. We are tragically reminded of this through the inevitable influx of orphans that arrive during times of drought: In 2016-2017, when Kenya was in the grips of a particularly devastating drought, we were called upon to rescue 33 orphaned elephants from the Tsavo ecosystem. While several were sadly too far gone by the time we got to them, we were able to save many lives that year. These elephants are now back in the place of their birth at our Voi and Ithumba Reintegration Units, where they will eventually reclaim their place among Tsavo’s wild elephant herds. It is for these orphans, and their wild kin, that our water projects are so vital. While Tsavo is one of the last remaining great wildernesses in Kenya, many parts the park lack natural drinking sources during the dry season. Without suitable water, even the most pristine habitat is unviable for long-term habitation, which was the case for vast swathes of the park. To change this, we began a supplemental water program called Water for Wildlife some thirty years ago. Through boreholes, bowsers, and, where needed, desalination processes, we ensure that all manner of creatures have access to ample drinking sources. As a result, previously untapped parts of Tsavo are now home to flourishing populations of elephants and other creatures. Not only does this provide a lifeline during times of drought, but it also decreases incidents of human-wildlife conflict, as animals are less likely to seek out drinking sources on community lands. Through Water for Wildlife, we fund and operate 28 boreholes now. The majority of these are powered sustainably through solar or windmills. Our Field Works Team maintains these weekly, cleaning out the accompanying water troughs and ensuring that all equipment is serviced regularly and in working order at all times. We have deployed six water bowsers, each with a 20,000-litre capacity, to transport water across the Tsavo Conservation Area. These refill water holes that are used by dependent elephant orphans and wildlife alike, and also provide water to KWS teams during periods of drought. This year, we embarked on several new Water for Wildlife initiatives. We commenced a new project to ensure the well-trafficked waterholes below Voi Safari Lodge have fresh water year-round. At Rhino Base in Tsavo East, we completed a borehole and solar power system, which provides water to the KWS security base and wildlife. We also completed a borehole powered by solar on the Mbololo watercourse in Tsavo East, ensuring several natural waterholes are topped up with piped water daily, while a natural-looking waterhole was built within the watercourse to provide fresh water for smaller game during the dry season. We also rebuilt the Aruba water troughs, improving on the original design so they now suit all manner of species, not just elephants. In Nairobi National Park, we drilled a new borehole to be used by the SWT Nairobi Nursery and for KWS rhino security scouts who have mobile camps throughout the park. We donated a bowser to Nairobi National Park, which can now quickly access and transport water to their teams. One of our most transformative water projects of 2020 was the new Thabangunje borehole in the northern area of Tsavo East. Powered by an efficient solar system, this ensures that four different water points, which are kilometres apart from each other, are topped up throughout the day. It also provides water to the KWS teams who are posted in the region. The borehole is situated on the northern plains, beyond the Yatta Plateau. This area was historically waterless during dry seasons, making it an impossible home for wildlife for much of the year. It is heart-warming to see how quickly the animals have adapted, now utilising this vast wilderness because water is accessible.
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Additional Support FOR THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE We have a long-standing partnership with the custodians of Kenya’s National Parks and wildlife, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). As the Government of Kenya’s authority for conservation and management, the KWS has a broad mandate, with about 8 per cent of the country’s total landmass under their remit. We continue to provide significant financial support to their efforts, above and beyond the extensive projects we operate in partnership with them. Historically, our shared work was concentrated in the vast Tsavo Conservation Area. In recent years, however, we have expanded our support to also meet conservation challenges further afield. Fire Mitigation and Response Bushfires are an annual reality in the Tsavo Conservation Area, but this was a year like no other. The unusually heavy rains that began in 2019 continued well into 2020, nurturing a proliferation of vegetation and grasses. As the dry season set in, this left the ecosystem perilously vulnerable to fires. The first broke out in April and they continued through October, with a total of 81 fires in the Tsavo Conservation Area alone. We provided all manner of support to the KWS to aid their firefighting efforts. Our teams worked on the frontlines, on the ground and in the air, to tackle the blazes and create fire breaks. Aside from manpower, we also volunteered the use of our equipment, including our fixed-wing aircrafts, helicopter and Bambi bucket, graders, bulldozers, water bowsers, and tractors. On top of that, we replenished firefighting equipment for the KWS and provided financial support to feed and compensate the firefighting teams. Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Human-Wildlife Conflict has emerged as one of the greatest threats facing our natural world, as communities and wild creatures are increasingly competing for resources. In these cases, rapid intervention is key, moving wildlife out of conflict zones and back onto protected land. Over the years, we have donated a number of vehicles and equipment to the KWS in support of their Animal Capture and Translocation Unit including a Mitsubishi 10-wheeler truck, as the original KWS truck was no longer operational. We also donated a new and fully customised Land Cruiser to the KWS Laikipia Rapid Response Team, which will support their human-wildlife conflict response efforts. Elephant Translocation Unit The Elephant Translocation Unit builds upon our human-wildlife conflict mitigation efforts with the KWS, with a specific focus on its largest victims. In most cases of human-elephant conflict, our Anti-Poaching and Aerial Units drive elephants out of community lands and into protected areas by temporarily removing fences. However, these are complex situations and sometimes require more comprehensive intervention, particularly in the case of problem animals who repeatedly return to conflict zones or in cases where infrastructure inhibits the ability to push them safely. For this reason, we established a new Elephant Translocation Unit, which has the capacity to safely move grown elephants over significant distances. This unit is based at our Kaluku Field Headquarters, with our drivers working in tandem with the KWS Animal Capture and Translocation Unit. To date, the Elephant Translocation Unit has relocated 11 elephants.
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Elephant Translocation in Action: Moving a Bull to Safety As mankind’s growing footprint continues to shrink the spaces elephants call home, human-wildlife conflict is on the rise. Without rapid intervention, these situations can escalate, risking the lives of all involved. On 24th February 2020, we received a call about a bull elephant who had entered community land in the Kibwezi area. Typically, we respond to these incidents by using our helicopter and ground teams to shepherd the marauding elephant back into a protected area. However, this bull had entered a heavily populated part of the community, which complicated matters. To ensure the safety of all involved, we needed to move him using our new translocation truck, which was purchased precisely for these types of situations Our helicopter flew KWS vet Dr Poghon to the scene, so he could safely dart the elephant from the air. Once he was anaesthetised, the SWT/KWS Tsavo Veterinary Unit and supporting teams convened on the ground to load him onto the translocation truck. Using custom padded straps, the team bound the legs, which were then attached to the truck’s crane. Monitored all the while by the vet, the sleeping bull was carefully lifted off the ground and loaded onto the flatbed. We drove the elephant deep into the Kibwezi Forest, a protected area that connects to Chyulu Hills National Park and the Tsavo West and Amboseli ecosystems beyond. We conduct regular aerial and ground patrols to ensure the welfare of all wild residents within and, crucially, the boundary is secured through an extensive fenceline. This provides a fixed divide between conservation areas and surrounding communities, ensuring that elephants and other wildlife remain out of harm’s way. This translocation provided a positive outcome for all parties involved: Now safely at home in the Kibwezi Forest, this stunning bull can roam far and wide. The community, meanwhile, was able to resume normal life without the presence of their unwanted guest. – James Mbuthia, SWT Manager of Kibwezi Forest and Kiboko Ranch
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Electric Fencelines Electric fencelines are a vital tool for conservation, serving the dual purpose of securing wild borders and protecting local communities from marauding wildlife. They are by no means a solution for every landscape, given how important natural wildlife migratory movement is. Over the years, however, we have financed the construction, patrolling, and continued maintenance of over 267 kilometres of electric fences where they are absolutely necessary. We strategically place these fencelines along the boundaries of protected areas that are rife with human-wildlife conflict. These wild borders also help inhibit poachers, charcoal harvesters, loggers, livestock herders, and other perpetrators from exploiting natural resources in these vulnerable areas. All fencelines are monitored by full-time fence maintenance teams, which are in close radio communication with the corresponding SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Unit. Most of these have been constructed in the Tsavo Conservation Area, with particular emphasis on the Chyulu Hills National Park. In 2020, we completed two significant fenceline projects: A 39.5-kilometre elephant exclusion fenceline secures the new KARI Ranch boundary, protecting neighbouring communities and their farms from straying elephants. To protect the free release rhino population in Tsavo West, we upgraded a 16-kilometre stretch from the corner where Chyulu Hills National Park meets Tsavo West National Park, taking the fence all the way to Mtito Andei. Erecting and maintaining these 14 -strand unshortable fencelines is a significant financial commitment, but its proven impact on conservation pays dividends. As of 2020, our fencelines protect the following conservation areas: Meru Rhino Sanctuary | Meru National Park | 25 kilometres Kibwezi Forest | Chyulu Hills National Park | 77.8 kilometres KARI Ranch | Chyulu Hills 39.5 kilometres Kamboyo IPZ | Tsavo West National Park | 16 kilometres Ithumba | Tsavo East National Park | 63 kilometres Ndii-Ndaza | Tsavo East National Park | 4 kilometres Voi - Ngutuni | Tsavo East National Park | 17 kilometres Voi - KWS HQ | Tsavo East National Park | 15 kilometres Nairobi National Park | 10 kilometres Infrastructure and Equipment Support While we are proud to finance and partner on ambitious conservation initiatives with the KWS, we also fund essential infrastructure and equipment that underpin the success of these projects. Keeping teams moving is vital, and in 2020, we funded fuel and vehicles for a number of units: We provided a new vehicle for the KWS Mount Kenya Unit, while continuing to fund fuel, communications, and rations for the team. To further the KWS Kajiado Teams in their anti-poaching efforts, we subsidized their fuel costs throughout the year. We donated a new 4WD vehicle to the KWS Laikipia Team, along with new sets of tyres for three Land Cruisers in the Tsavo Conservation Area and the Meru National Park rhino sanctuary. We financed the spare parts needed for the KWS Northern Area lorry in February 2020.
In the Tsavo Conservation Area, we provided all manner of infrastructure support to the KWS. Near the Galana River in Tsavo East, we funded the rebuild and power system for a whole new rhino security base for KWS, which spans a radio room and office, mess area, sleeping quarters, kitchen, stores, and bathrooms. At Kanziku Gate, we built new accommodations for KWS customer service personnel of the Tsavo East Northern entrance gates. For the Thabangunji KWS Security Base, we funded the installation of a system to pipe fresh water directly to base from the Thabangunji borehole and rethatched their accommodations. Continuing our water commitments, we funded and constructed a 50,000-litre concrete tank at Kathaysio KWS HQ. We also rehabilitated the Chyulu Pump water tank in Tsavo West and built a new 50,000-litre tank near Kamboyo. 110
SWT Chyulu Hills & Tsavo West Fencelines
Kiboko Mukururo
KARI RANCH
Makindu
Kibwezi Town KIBWEZI FOREST
CHYULU NATIONAL PARK
KEY for SWT funded electrified fencelines:
Nairobi - Mombasa Highway KARI Ranch | Chyulu Hills - 39.5km Kibwezi Forest | Chyulu Hills National Park - 77.8km Kamboyo IPZ | Tsavo West National Park - 16km CHYULU HILLS
Mtito Andei
TSAVO WEST NATIONAL PARK
For KWS, at the Tsavo East Headquarters in Voi, we rehabilitated two water tanks. Given that tourism was unusually low in the Tsavo Conservation Area due to travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, we took the opportunity to conduct a number of road upgrades. Over 400 kilometres of roads have been graded and rehabilitated using the Trust’s machinery in the Northern Area and Chyulu Hills National Park. We also opened up two river crossings to improve road links and rebuilt the causeway over the Tiva River. In the northern area of Tsavo East National Park, our bulldozer dug five water pans and assisted in upgrades for fenceline maintenance and security, along with the rehabilitation of airstrips. Meru Rhino Sanctuary While we are best known for our work with Kenya’s elephants, we are equally committed to its other threatened species. In 2017, we partnered with the KWS to upgrade and extend the Meru Rhino Sanctuary, which sits within Meru National Park. We constructed a 25-kilometre electric fence around the perimeter, along with security bases. This nearly doubled the size of the sanctuary, providing more space and heightened security for its growing resident rhino population. We continue to fund infrastructure improvements and operating costs, including salaries of full-time staff who maintain and patrol the fenceline. In 2020, we donated a vehicle to be used specifically for fence maintenance throughout the Meru Rhino Sanctuary, enabling teams to efficiently secure the entire boundary. We also provided extensive camping equipment for the KWS rangers based at Meru Rhino Sanctuary, including bedroom tents and mattresses, mess tents, chairs, tables and custom-built solar energy units. This ensures the rangers are fully outfitted to perform their role as frontline guardians and protectors of the critically endangered black rhinos and near-threatened white rhinos that live within the sanctuary. Kamboyo Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) Outside of Tsavo West’s Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary, a population of rhinos range freely in Tsavo West National Park’s Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ), which was established more than a decade ago. Covering about 20,000 square kilometres, this extensive area offers some of the best rhino habitat in Kenya. In 2020, the KWS requested support to install a new 16-kilometre electric fenceline along the Tsavo West Kamboyo side. We funded the construction of this vital boundary and a team of six Sanyati staff have been hired full-time to maintain the fenceline.
Community Outreach If we are to create a future for elephants and other creatures, we must also support the people who live alongside them. Over one third of Kenya’s 52 million residents live below the poverty line, and for families struggling to make ends meet, conservation efforts fall low on their list of priorities. Communities who live alongside protected habitats often view wildlife as threats to their livelihood and very survival. We are changing that through our community outreach work. Just as we are invested in the long-term welfare of Kenya’s wildlife, we are equally committed to the people who live alongside them. We work tirelessly to improve the lives of communities bordering Kenya’s National Parks and protected areas. This support takes the form of education initiatives, local employment opportunities, and sustainable conservation solutions that also benefit communities. This was a challenging year, as COVID-19 brought the country into lockdown and put great economic strain on its citizens. Kenya relies heavily on international tourism to support its conservation efforts, provide jobs, and bolster businesses. As this income stream all but disappeared, people across the country struggled to make ends meet. While we are proud to say that we retained all our staff, many other Kenyans grappled with unemployment and other effects of the pandemic. In response to these urgent challenges, we pivoted our strategy to address the immediate needs of our local communities. Food Distribution Program To help local communities during the crisis, we set up a monthly food distribution program to support families around Nguluni, Kimunyu, and Mtito. These were executed with the support of national and local government, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. Between April and the end of November, we provided seven food relief exercises supporting three villages: Kamunyu (89 households), Ngiluni A (92 households), and Ngiluni B (71 households). With an estimated eight heads per household, we served over 2,000 community members each month. We were proud to be able to help provide healthy, hearty sustenance for local families as they navigated this challenging period. 112
School Field Trips and Support We host regular field trips into Tsavo East and Tsavo West for local schools bordering the National Parks. Many of these students grow up having a complicated relationship with wildlife; while some have never even seen an elephant, others associate them with crop destruction or frightening encounters on-foot. By introducing children to Kenya’s wild world from the safety of a school bus, we connect the next generation with their country’s natural heritage and foster an interest in conservation efforts. In a normal year, we host over 60 field trips into Tsavo and invite more than 20,000 local school children to our Nairobi Nursery. Unfortunately, COVID-19 put these activities on hold. However, we were able to host 12 field trips before the onset of the pandemic, sharing the wonders of Kenya’s wildlife with 331 students from the environs of Tsavo. We will resume them as soon as government guidelines allow. We work closely with local communities to improve school infrastructure, supplying desks, sports equipment, and other enriching tools and experiences. Over the years, we have donated more than 650 desks to schools around the Tsavo Conservation Area. In 2020, we were able to donate 30 desks to schools in Mtito Andei, before the pandemic put in-person learning on pause. Student Scholarships and Sponsorships We sponsor 15 students at secondary schools. Through Children of Conservation (CoC), we also sponsor six students who are studying at university level. Three students began their first semester in 2020, at Pwani University, University of Nairobi, and Kiriri Women’s University. They are matriculated in academic programs that have a sustainable focus, including Wildlife Management and Conservation, Water and Environmental Engineering, and International Relations and Diplomacy. Samuel, our Community Liaison Officer, personally escorted each student to their university campus, helping them settle in and ensuring they had everything they needed. The other three students spent the year engaged in home tutorials, waiting for in-person studying to resume in January 2021. To support them through the remote learning challenges presented by COVID-19, CoC donated a laptop to each scholarship student. The effects of these scholarships are felt across the community. In return for us sponsoring children’s university educations, their chiefs or leaders make a commitment to aid conservation efforts and take a stand against poaching and other threats to wildlife. This helps local communities further understand the benefit of protecting the environment they call home. Beehive Fencelines In 2014, we launched a beehive fenceline project as a non-aggressive and cost-effective way to mitigate humanwildlife conflict. Elephants have an aversion to the buzzing sound of bees, and the mere presence of occupied hives is enough to deter most from crop-raiding a farm. Over the years, this project has expanded to 144 hives, incorporating seven community farms that were hardest hit by crop-raiding elephants. They are collectively managed by a professional beekeeper and each hive is inspected at least three times a month. The project has multiple benefits to local farmers; not only does it protect their farms from elephant invasion, but their crops are better pollinated as the bee population increases. They also benefit financially from sales of honey. In 2020, we ordered 60 new Langstroth beehives and 13 modern log hives, which will be installed in Kibwezi Forest and Tsavo Farm. Once COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in the new year, we will roll out our plans to involve a local women’s beekeeping group in Kibwezi. They will be formally trained in beekeeping techniques throughout the year, before taking over management of 30 the Langstroth hives in a secure apiary. We plan to continue to expand management roles for these women as they become sufficiently trained. 114
Eco Lodges Our properties add a unique dimension to our conservation projects by immersing supporters in the work they make possible. Thoughtfully designed and sustainably managed, they offer a bespoke safari experience for the discerning traveller. Each property sits within an untouched corner of Kenya, built in complete harmony with its surroundings. They are also located in close proximity to one of our three Reintegration Units, granting exclusive access to visit the orphaned elephants who live there. Simply by staying in our properties, guests directly support these elephants and their wild kin: Operated through a not-for-profit model, all proceeds from our Eco Lodges support and protect the ecosystems where they are located. Lodges are booked on an exclusive basis, allowing guests to feel as if they were staying at their own private sanctuary in the bush. This template has taken on a whole new significance amidst our current times. Our properties offer a respite from the rest of the world. These are places where one is surrounded entirely by nature, interrupted only by the rumble of an elephant or the flash of a shooting star. As we often say, to stay in one Eco Lodge is to experience a jewel amongst Kenya’s wild places; to stay in them all is to discover the entire crown. There are three in Ithumba, set amidst the rugged wilderness of Tsavo East’s northern sector; two on the Galana River, where Kenya’s most iconic species converge before your very eyes; and one in the Kibwezi Forest, a peaceful forest utopia set amidst rolling green hills. This was a year unlike any other, as the pandemic brought tourism to a standstill for much of 2020. While all properties were closed following the outbreak of COVID-19, every member of staff was kept onboard. During this time, we conducted maintenance and upgrades across all the Eco Lodges. Bookings recommenced in August, in accordance with government guidelines. We were fortunate to receive a significant reservation from Netflix during this period, hosting film crews at Galdessa and Ithumba Camp. Based on advance bookings for the coming year, our Eco Lodges are the perfect antidote
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to the fraught state of the world. We look forward to welcoming people back to our magical corners of Kenya. Ithumba Hill Camp is a luxurious tented camp built into the hill that earned it its name. Designed with the discerning traveller in mind, this camp offers panoramic views of Tsavo’s rugged wilderness. Ithumba Private is a special annex to Ithumba Hill Camp. Built among the rocks of Ithumba Hill and shaded by giant baobabs, this hideaway offers an intimate oasis within the vast wilderness of Tsavo. Galdessa Camp is an enchanting camp set in the heart of Tsavo on the banks of the Galana River. Wildlife abounds in this section of the Tsavo, from elephants meandering along the shore to hippos wallowing in the mud below. Galdessa Little is an intimate annex perched on the banks of the Galana River. Fringed with doum palms and overlooking the Yatta Plateau, the camp promises unparalleled wildlife sightings. Umani Springs is an elegant African lodge tucked within the ancient Kibwezi Forest. It offers an oasis of tranquillity and comfort, surrounded by a spectacular range of birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures. For lodge enquiries and bookings, please contact: info@sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
LOOKING FORWARD While 2020 was a challenging year the world over, it was a very positive one for elephants. Nature certainly helped in that capacity, as two years of surplus rains ushered in a baby boom across the country. We saw this firsthand in the Tsavo Conservation Area, which was positively teeming with elephant calves. This is a species whose lifespan mirrors our own; all well, an elephant can live for upwards of 70 years. Just as we think about the world we want to create for our own children, we must also think about the world we want to create for our elephants. For it really is up to us to create a future for elephants. Research shows that one million animal and plant species are now at risk of extinction. One species is the source of this threat: humans. It sounds dire — and it certainly is — but hope springs eternal. As Sir David Attenborough says in A Perfect Planet, a new series in which we were honoured to be featured, “Human activity is now so dominant that it’s disrupting the forces of nature and the vital habitats life needs to survive on earth. To preserve our planet, we need to act now. And if we do that, there will still be time to restore the ecological balance that once made this Earth our perfect planet.” Indeed, humans are capable of enormous disruption, but also of extraordinary progress. Consider the ivory poaching epidemic of the 21st century. In 2012, when it was at its peak, 384 elephants were killed for their ivory in Kenya. Every orphan we rescued that year lost their family to poachers. The crisis reached truly precipitous levels, but the world took notice and took action. Legislation was enacted, ivory markets were closed, stockpiles were burned, and on-the-ground conservation efforts received global support. Year-on-year, progress was made. In 2020, the KWS reported a record low of 11 ivory poaching victims. That is still 11 lives too many, lost forever to human greed, but a 97 percent decline in poaching in less than a decade shows remarkable progress. However, we must remain vigilant about the threat of ivory poaching. It is entirely driven by human demand, and as history shows us, demand can rally at any moment. The crises of the 1970s, 1980s, and early 2010s serve as stark reminders of that. Looking forward, there are other urgent challenges we must also contend with. Chief among them is another kind of poaching: the lucrative bushmeat trade, in which wildlife is killed for local consumption or for sale on the black market. Once a localised threat, demand is 119
growing amidst ever-expanding human populations, and bushmeat poaching has emerged as one of the gravest threats to Kenya’s biodiversity. Our Anti-Poaching Units have tangible proof of this through the increasing numbers of snares they collect each year. Other threats are more insidious. Habitat loss and fragmentation persists at alarming rates across Africa. While the heart of Kenya’s wild world remains protected through National Parks and other means of conservation, we must also look to secure its arteries: the wildlife corridors and buffer zones that connect these spaces, ensuring that creatures can travel between them and are not relegated to a trapped existence in one single area. This is especially vital for a migratory species like elephants, who can roam up to 80 kilometres in a single day. As their traditional routes are disrupted, they increasingly come into contact with humans. And that brings us to perhaps the greatest threat facing elephants: human-wildlife conflict. Mankind’s footprint continues to expand across the continent. This puts untenable pressure on its natural world, as humans and wildlife compete over all manner of resources, from food to water to land. Opportunistic elephants who find their way onto farms are capable of flattening an entire crop in a matter of hours. This is a life-threatening situation for all involved; people are sometimes killed by elephants, while all manner of wild creatures lose their lives in retaliation for trespassing onto communities. We see this unfold year-over-year, responding to growing numbers of animals who are caught in the crosshairs of humanwildlife conflict. However, we end on a hopeful note. Reading statistics, watching documentaries, or scrolling through social media, it is tempting to despair for the future of our natural world. Here on the frontlines of conservation, our view is very different. Yes, there are extensive and ever-evolving challenges to overcome, but also proven solutions with which to tackle them. These include partnerships with local landowners to dedicate land for conservation, erecting fencelines on high-risk boundaries, and rolling out educational programs in communities bordering National Parks. Larger scale initiatives, combined with our everyday anti-poaching patrols, aerial surveillance, and veterinary presence, improve the welfare of wildlife and the communities who live alongside them. Underpinned by your support, we can collectively preserve our planet.
SPECIAL THANKS Trebek Family Foundation Westreich Finaly Foundation W.L. Lyons Brown, Jr. Charitable Foundation VBS Foundation
Trusts and Foundations Aaron and Patricia Blumberg Foundation Acton Family Giving Argus Fund Bernard and Nancy Karwick Foundation Bruce and Carolyn Costin Martin Foundation Bulrush Foundation Claude and Doris Tapp Trust Cinco Dahan Family Foundation David C Butterfield and Alfonso D Rubio Memorial Foundation Diane and Dorothy Brooks Foundation FM Area Foundation Fredman Family Foundation Friese Foundation Harriet Pfleger Foundation Hayes Foundation Jeffrey and Mary Smith Family Foundation Judith Anne Kaplan Fund Karmagawa Foundation Kerrigan Savage Waves Charitable Trust Landgraf/Walker Living Trust Marjorie and John Buyers Foundation Marta Heflin Foundation Maue Kay Foundation Mey Share Foundation Merlin Foundation MIH Trust Minara Foundation Mitchell Family Charitable Fund Mrs D.M. France-Hayhurst Foundation Mudge Foundation Pearson Family Foundation Richard Lounsbery Foundation Robert Csargo Trust Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust Scott (Eredine) Charitable Trust Shattock Family Foundation The Bernard and Anne Spitzer Charitable Trust The Burton Foundation The Eranda Rothschild Foundation The Joseph and Fiora Stone Foundation The Parker Foundation The Perfect Planet Foundation The Raindance Charitable Trust The Wagmore Foundation
Corporates Abaxis Angama Anna Beck Designs Barrett & Coe Boscovic Air Charters Chantecaille Drunk Elephant China East African Air Charters East African Canvas Ecojot Elephant Gin Elizabeth Scarlett Ferron Federico Veronesi Photography Floreani Studio Legale Associato Gillie & Marc GoMacro HP Hood LLC/Planet Oat L.A. Burdick Little Dot Studios / YouTube Louise Mulgrew Love Brand & Co. Metage Capital Peach Branding petitTembo Render Loyalty Spitalfields Spot Dog Walking Tea Lab Company The True Traveller Velvet Coffee Roasters whiteGREY Williamson Tea NGOs Aktionsgemeinschaft Artenschutz (AGA) Defend the Elephants Sweden Eden Reforestation Projects Eden Wildlife Trust Pengo Life Project Foreningen Forsvara Elefanterna 120
SPECIAL THANKS Forsava Elefanterna Four Paws - Vier Pfoten Rettet die Elefanten Afrikas e.V Sauvez les elephants d’afrique Serengeti Foundation Terre et Faune Verein Der Elefantenfreunde Vrienden van de Olifant
Elizabeth J. Quale Trust Eric Margolis Erika Rosenthal Eugene Wu George A Hambrecht and Andrea Fahnestock Georgianna Harris Gerald Meyer Gilda Castro Rios Gillian and Martin Evans Gillian Flack Gregory Allgrim Gregory and Susan Summe Greta Smith Grossman Family Guy Hilton Harjinder Brar Heidi and Kevin Naughton and Family Heidi Blackie Hollis Stern Hugh Robinson Jack and Kathy Burke James and Zoe Lloyd Jane Vapenik Jean Moye Jeffrey Dennis Miller/Jeff and Jacqueline Miller Fund Jerry and Iris Silver Jim and Gale Luce Family Joan Phillips Family Trust Jo Ann Hoffman Jo Anne Goldman Jodie Bailey Joel Slotnikoff John and Jutta Kay John and Teresa Mclean John and Carole Garand John and Sue Pearl Jon Steel Jonathan Connolly Judie Graham-Bell Julie and Tom Hull Keri Gillespie Kids’ Tusk Force UK Kim Charlton Kristin Davis Lehr Family Charitable Fund Leslie A Gerolde Estate Lila Luce Linda Rodgers
Local Kenya Partners Big Life Foundation Galana Conservancy Kenya Forest Service Kenya Wildlife Service Lamu Conservation Trust Mara Conservancy Mara Elephant Project Mount Kenya Trust Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Wildlife Works Individuals and Groups Alexandra and Joshua Anzalone/Rosenthal Alex Wood Ali Sheer Amanda Loke Amy and Brian Kinion Anne Meyer Anne Pattee Candis Stern Carole Ann Morse C.H. Lin Charlie and Jennifer Wilson Daniel Kline Darylan Stratten David and Denise Chase Davor Luksic Debbie and Lou Salkind Debora Goebel Diane D’arcy Diane Davidson Drs. Judith and Matthew Ochs Edward Marram and Karen Carpenter Elisabeth and Claude Koeberle Elizabeth Steele Ellen DeGeneres Ellen Karlsen Raaholt 121
SPECIAL THANKS Lisa Mihan Loi and Adele Nguyen Lori Price Lynn Pearcy Mallory Hathaway Margaret Burchell Mark & Jacqui Atkinson Martha Davis Martha Raynolds Mary C. Steel Revocable Trust Mary Joanne Irwin Maya Rose Tweten Nadine Stearns Estate Nicholas Noyes Nilesh Shah N S Ramjee Olivier and Sylvie Chantecaille Pankaj Shah Parris McBride-Martin Patrick and Priscilla MeLampy-Lawrence Paul Cichocki and Cindy Ostrowski Petra Martin Ramona Reichert and Ivo Schemionek Rebecca Castro Rickard and Nicke Hetzel Rita Ashton Roberta Moody Robert Musser and Barbara Francis Robert B. Stearns Robert Stojnic Roger and Ann McNamee Romo Family Roy and Gretchen Jackson Sabrina Bryant
Sam Alfstad Scott and Linda Greene Shelly and Peter Zwick Shree Hardikar Nath St. Clare Seifert Stephanie Perenchio Stephen and Lyle Smith Stephen Burstein Stephen Charles Steven and Carisa Jones Family Fund Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association Susan Mathis Susan Taylor Susie and Roy Dorrance Suzanne J. Morse Sven and Kristin Lindblad The Dharmaraj Family The Late Arthur John Herring The Late Eileen Rachael Clarke The Late Gail Halladay The Late Heather Adie The Late Joanne Klauer The Late Kit Cartier The Late Timothy Ferguson Brooks The Late Victoria Anne Griffiths The Riedlinger Family Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins Tim and Nancy Corwin Toby and Regina Wyles Tom and Cathy Staver Tyler and Hayley Hubbard Vanessa Evans William Shanahan
Photographs Copyright © David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust with special thanks to; Mia Collis, David Douglas, Robert Carr-Hartley, Neville Sheldrick, Taru Carr-Hartley, Andy Payne and Anthony Kimani.
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