OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
DECEMBER 2024 REPORT
Aerial Unit Monthly Report
Operated in support of the Kenya Wildlife Service, Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Aerial Unit monitors for illegal activity from the skies and offers rapid response assistance in anti-poaching operations, human-wildlife con ict, veterinary treatments, orphan rescues, and all manner of eld emergencies.
This report details Aerial Unit activities for December 2024
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
27,678
Hours own: Areas patrolled:
293
Kilometres own:
27,837
Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Chyulu Hills NP, Kishushe Ranch, Mbulia Ranch, Kulalu Ranch, Galana Ranch, Arabuko-Sokoke, South Kitui NR, Amboseli, Kilibasi
December is generally a quieter month, and this year was no exception. Most individuals involved in illegal activities in the parks are small-scale farmers, and during the November-December period they typically remain on their farms to tend to freshly planted crops Additionally, the SWT’s Aerial Unit operated with reduced staff during the latter half of the month, leading to fewer sightings.
The most signi cant illegal activity recorded in December was the large in ux of livestock into both Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks, with Tsavo East being particularly affected. Coordinates were provided to KWS for ground team responses, but persistent wet conditions in December made some areas inaccessible by vehicle. In southern Tsavo West, signi cant progress was made in removing livestock before the end of the month.
DECEMBER 2024 PATROL MAP:
No fresh poaching activity was detected during the month. However, during a helicopter patrol, deployed rangers uncovered a small number of old snares on the Yatta Plateau. A unique rainy-season activity observed in December was the illegal cultivation of marijuana in patches of forest within the Chyulu Hills National Park In previous years, marijuana plantations were more numerous and extensive, but sustained action by our ground teams has signi cantly reduced this activity. Now, only a few very small plots appear each year.
Some small-scale logging and larger-scale charcoal burning were observed Logging for timber and beehive construction was noted in northern Tsavo East. On Galana, Kulalu and Kishushe Ranches, as well as in South Kitui National Reserve, fairly extensive charcoal burning was documented.
Two Human-Elephant Con ict cases were addressed by helicopters in December In one case, two bull elephants were successfully pushed back into the park. In another case, a herd of 15 elephants was unsuccessfully pushed back after a tragic incident where an elephant had killed a community member in the same area.
Only one elephant carcass was observed from the air in December. It was an adult bull that appeared to have fallen off a cliff into the Tiva River. The tusks were recovered and handed over to KWS for safekeeping.
The Aerial Unit assisted with 4 veterinary cases in December, with only one resulting in a successful treatment as on two occasions, the teams were unable to locate the injured animals. One search was for a buffalo reported with a snare near the coastal town of Msambweni Due to the signi cant distance and urgent information received, a helicopter ew the vet to Msambweni Unfortunately, upon arrival, the buffalo had retreated into dense forest, and despite extensive searching, it was not found. Another unsuccessful search took place on Kulalu Ranch for an injured elephant. Large concentrations of elephants in the area made it dif cult to identify the individual in question.
Of the two remaining cases, one ended positively. A giraffe, reported by tourists near Old Chyulu Gate in Tsavo West, was located by an SWT xed-wing aircraft on the evening of the initial sighting and again the following morning. The giraffe was darted from a helicopter and treated by the SWT/KWS Voi Mobile Vet Fortunately, the snare – which was removed – was fresh and had not caused signi cant injury The second case, in Amboseli, was less fortunate The mobile vet was own to Kaluku via xed-wing aircraft and then continued by helicopter to treat an injured bull elephant, which had collapsed near Amboseli. Sadly, the elephant's severe penetrating injuries, likely from ghting, were too advanced for recovery Its death was considered part of a natural process
The Aerial Unit also assisted in three search operations for missing children in remote communities. The rst was for a child north of Kone, along Tsavo East's eastern boundary. Unfortunately, this search ended without success. Further north, support was provided in a search for a boy missing south of Waldena, who was later found by a ground search party Similarly, two young children who went missing near Daba on the Tana River were located by a search party after assistance from one of our pilots.
Highlights from December included several sightings of lions, as well as leopard, cheetah, and large aggregations of elephants.
The Aerial Unit, as with all Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's conservation projects, is a donorfunded initiative Thank you to our global supporters, who help us secure Kenya's habitats for the future and make an impact in the eld, each and every day
2024 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust