JANUARY 2025
Monthly Overview
Operated in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Anti-Poaching Teams monitor for illegal activity and support all manner of eld operations
This report details all Anti-Poaching Unit activities for January 2025. During the month the Kapangani, Tiva and Tsavo Mobile teams were on annual leave whilst the Burra, Jipe, Kenze, Kichwa Tembo, Kulalu, Kwale and Mukururo teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
42,786
47 Arrests made:
27,678
69 Elephant ivory con scated (kg):
1378 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
JANUARY 2025
We currently operate 28 Anti-Poaching Teams with the KWS throughout Kenya. 22 teams are based in the greater Tsavo Conservation Area, collectively securing Kenya’s largest national park and the surrounding wilderness One team is based in Meru National Park, which provides sanctuary to critically endangered black and white rhinos. Under the direction of Mara Elephant Project, we also fund 2 teams based in the Mau Forest, an important water catchment area in the Rift Valley. We have also expanded our anti-poaching presence to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Shimba Hills, which are two of the last remaining coastal strongholds for elephants
While each team works within a designated region, many also work on a rotating, mobile basis, providing continuous coverage when other teams are on leave This helps to ensure a constant level of vigilance in Kenya’s most vulnerable ecosystems
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG
JANUARY 2025
During January the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1378 snares and made 47 arrests including 1 arrest for poaching activities and 8 arrests for possession of bushmeat. Other arrests made during the month included 23 livestock herders, 3 loggers, 3 miraa harvesters, 1 rewood collector, and 2 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps totaled 10kg including buffalo, dikdik, eland and impala meat along with other carcasses.
During the month, the teams destroyed 25 charcoal kilns and 6 charcoal camps, including many charcoal sacks, along with 26 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks and 13 livestock bomas
In January the teams also helped the SWT/KWS Vet Units treat 2 injured elephants, 1 buffalo and 1 zebra. They also discovered 2 elephant carcasses and handed over 69kg of ivory to the KWS
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
JANUARY 2025
ARRESTS MADE
JANUARY 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
JANUARY 2025
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
30/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and destroyed it
30/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed charcoal kilns and a camp in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most
18
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the conservation area, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
22/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the park
29/1/2025 VEHICLE RESCUE
The team rescued a tourist vehicle and its passengers after an accident
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
18
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/1/20245 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 men caught setting snares in the protected area
28/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested another offender in a makeshift camp with snares
Days on duty:
18
Patrol areas:
Border
of Southern Tsavo East within
Kulalu & Galana Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/1/2025 CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found and destroyed a large active charcoal camp in the park
13/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal kiln and charcoal sacks ready for transport
24/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with a large consignment of dikdik carcasses loaded on a motorbike
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
on
9/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
10/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught with snares and fresh bushmeat
26/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
Snares were lifted from the park set by poachers to trap small wild animals
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY
2025
SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/1/2024
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Mobile South team had a quiet month with the only illegal activity report being minor illegal logging offences
30 Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/1/2025 ILLEGAL LIVESTOCK
The team evicted a herd of cattle found grazing in the conservation area
28/1/2025 ILLEGAL LIVESTOCK
The team found more livestock grazing in the protected areas
29/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it
18 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/1/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock found being grazed illegally in the park
15/1/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treated an elephant with an injured foot
30 Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/1/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a large cannabis plantation in the park
16/1/2025 KWS / SWT MEETINGS
The team met with KWS of cials to discuss operations in the park
21/1/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team destroyed another plantation of cannabis in the Chyulu Hills
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West
10/1/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock fromthe park and arrested 3 herders
20/1/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted another large head of cattle from the park
28/1/2025 CONFISCATED MOTORBIKE
The team con scated a motorbike believed to be used for transporting bushmeat from the park
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/1/2025 BROKEN IVORY
The team found a piece of elephant tusk most likely broken naturally during a ght with another elephant, and handed it over to KWS
23/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers to trap small animals
29/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs of illegal logging in the park
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/1/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The Mukururo team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant with a snare wound on its leg
24/1/2025 LOGGING
The Mukururo team apprehended a man found logging wood and collecting poles in the protected area
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
18
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/1/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The Kenze team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
23/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a number of snares in the park set by poachers to trap game
23/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a number of snares in the park set by poachers to trap game
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
18
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
13/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
25/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a gang of charcoal burners operating in the park
30/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares set by bushmeat poachers to catch animals such as buffalos
30 Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares within an illegal plantation of cannabis plants
12/1/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team apprehended an offender caught harvesting miraa in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
23/1/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested 3 more miraa harvesters caught with sacks of fresh miraa leaves
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team con scated a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
17/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers with fresh meat and a bicycle
24/1/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man on a motorbike with fresh bushmeat and poaching equipment
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/1/2025 ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to push elephants out from community land back into the safety of the park
17/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many small and medium wire snares from the park during the month
26/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln and arrested 3 charcoal burners
Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The Kajiado team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
10/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park. The offenders sadly escaped
25/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team apprehended a group of loggers found extracting timber from the park
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/1/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a numbers of snares set by poachers in the park
20/1/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares set by poachers in the park
24/1/2025
LIFTING SNARES
More snares were removed from the park, with many large ones set to trap larger game like buffalo
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team con scated logged poles from the park
27/1/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a re in the park The cause of the re is unknown.
28/1/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and arrested a logger
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
18
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
1/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the park, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
9/1/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln in the park
26/1/2025 LIFTINSG SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park
30 Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers and removed them from the park
24/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers as well as makeshift bird traps
4/1/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers and removed them from the park
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JANUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/1/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
29/1/2025 FIREWOOD COLLECTION
The team apprehended a man found in the park collecting rewood
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park
SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams, as with all Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's conservation projects, is a donor-funded initiative Thank you to our global supporters, who help us secure Kenya's habitats for the future and make an impact in the eld, each and every day
2025 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust