MONTHLY REPORT: BIG TUSKER PROJECT - APRIL 2016 Summary: Activity Aerial Reconnaissance Large “Tuskers” Ivory recovered Elephant carcasses Carcasses/hours flown Arrests Response/support to KWS - armed incidents Other Illegal activities General important/relevant notes
Hours Flown 50
Miles Covered 3,750
Average 75 mph of low level flight
Flights carried out jointly with KWS men
No. Observed 19 Tuskers - 14 bulls (8 Super Tuskers & 6 emerging Tuskers) & 5 cows No. Recovered Nil (14 for year to date) No. Observed Fresh Recent 1 (unconfirmed c of d) 1 (natural c of d) 1 every 25 hours of flight Made by KWS with operational backup from TT – 5 men (livestock) Nil 12 cattle bomas (est. 10,500 cows) • 30/4/16 – Historic 105ton ivory & rhino horn burn – KWS Nairobi • 21/4/16 – Kamungi Conservancy pass out of 12 rangers from KWS LEA • 19/4/16 – Extraordinary aerial recce with over 2,000 elephant seen, 7 of the big Tuskers and 11 critically endangered Hirola • Aerial support pertaining to rhino security in TW & TE • Continued partnership with KWS & ZSL re rhino programs in TCA • Continued predator and endangered species sighting reports to KWS, TCA
Photo shows 12 Kamungi Conservancy rangers after their pass out parade following successfully completing a 3-month Community Ranger Training Course at KWS Law Enforcement Academy on 21st April 2016. Kamungi Conservancy is currently in its early stages of development under the stewardship of the Tsavo Trust. The “Kamungi Scouts” are now ready to be deployed into anti-poaching action as well as addressing Human Wildlife Conflict.
TSAVO TRUST • PO Box 204 • Mtito Andei 90128 • Kenya
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Big Tusker Project - aerial and ground teams (Tembo 2): The Tsavo Trust’s Big Tusker Project (BTP) recorded the following details in the BTP database: • Total of 19 different individual Tusker’s were observed from ground and air coverage • 8 bull Super Tuskers – 26 different sightings • 6 emerging Tuskers – 15 sightings • 5 iconic cow Tuskers – 10 sightings • Total sightings - 51 • Elephant collaring exercise: Following the joint KWS/STE/Tsavo Trust elephant collaring exercise which took place in mid March 2016, it is now very clear to see that several of the collared elephant make regular crossings of the SGR. This data, over time will be invaluable when it comes to planning corresponding underpasses where further new infrastructure comes into play – such as planned larger road developments. • Rhino security: Ongoing partnership between KWS, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Tsavo Trust re rhino areas within the TCA. 5 specific rhino recce flights took place-covering parts of TENP IPZ, TWNP NRS & IPZ. This map shows aerial transects carried out over TW NRS on 24th April 2016 during a joint KWS/TT aerial recce flight. 21 individual rhino were observed.
Table shows “Tusker” code, number of times observed during month and brief remarks. Tusker No. Times Seen Remarks Code Name During Month BULLS MO1 4 Back to his normal area LU1 4 Moved to an area not seen before. Crossed SGR regularly SA2 5 Moved back to normal location and in Musth KA1 1 Moved with the rains to an area not seen before KA2 2 Back to his regular location DI1 5 Back to his normal area WS1 3 Back to his normal area BA1 2 Back in normal location but close to illegally grazing Orma cattle SA80 6 Back to normal location EM1 3 Moved big distances SL1 2 Moved big distances AR1 1 Back to normal area LA1 2 Moves big distances KI1 1 Has not stayed in normal location for long and moved with rains COWS F_XT 3 Settled in normal location F_VPL 2 Back to her normal area F_KA1 1 Back to her normal area F_MU1 3 Back to her normal area F_SO1 1 Has moved big distances TOTAL 13 bulls, 3 cows: 36 different sightings Close working relationship between KWS and Tsavo Trust (aerial and ground units combined) is without doubt adding to elephant security and safety of the big Tuskers and other elephants within the TCA through meaningful collaboration alongside KWS Security and Research & Monitoring Departments.
TSAVO TRUST • PO Box 204 • Mtito Andei 90128 • Kenya
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Photo of iconic cow Tusker coded as F_VPL taken from the air in mid April 2016 in TENP. Tsavo remains one of the last places left on the planet today that boasts such a strong Tusker gene pool with both cow and bull elephant who carry such large ivory.
Photo of super Tusker coded as LU1 taken on 27th April 2016. LU1 is truly a Tsavo icon. At most there are arguably less than 20 elephants such as LU1 remaining alive today.
TSAVO TRUST • PO Box 204 • Mtito Andei 90128 • Kenya
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Areas Covered: Table below shows the main areas covered within the TCA for this month: TSAVO EAST NP
TSAVO WEST NP
Northern Area – Yatta Plateau, Durusikale, Garasamuke, Emusaya, Golf Charlie, Koitu, Sobo, Sangayaya, Dabaduke, Mufupa ya Ndovu, Southern Area – Voi, Ndololo, Kanderi, Wagalla, Ndara Plains, Buchuma, Maungu, Murondo, Dakota, Voi River, Dika Plains, Satao, power lines, Aruba, Mukuaju, Dika, Konu Moja, Dida Harea, Balguda, Sala, Lali, Sobo, TENP boundary, Koitu, Galana River Central Area – TE R/S, IPZ, Manyani east, Punda Milia, Hatulo Bisani, Lugards, Mbololo lugga, Balguda, Irima, Mudanda, Maka Hill, Man-eaters, Triangle, Mtito Lugga, Zero Delta, Voi north & east, Galana River, Tsavo River and Yatta Central, SGR
Northern Sector – IPZ, Mangalete, Kamboyo, Kisimeka, Chyulu south, Mtito lugga, Mungai Hill, Finch Hattons, Mzima Springs, Shetani volcano, Severin, Kilaguni, Ndawe, Tsavo River Southern Sector – Lake Jipe, Toloa, Maktau, Murka, Kanjaro, TZ/Kenya border, Salaita Central Sector – IPZ, Rhino Valley, NRS, Tsavo River, Kinyek, Maji ya Chumvi (north & south), Ziwani, Lesoito, Kyulu, Mombasa Highway, Man Easters, Kenani, Kanga, Manyani north and west, SGR line
RANCHES & DISPERSAL AREAS TENP border – Ngiluni/Kamunyu, Kilalinda, Kulalu & Galana Ranch, Derea, Murondo, Magram/Dakota Ranch, Lali Hills, Ngutuni TWNP border – Rombo, Kuku, Il Talal Chyulu Hills NP – Il Talal, Kanzi, Mbirikani, Ol Donyo Waas Taita Ranches – Nil
• The locations mentioned above is only an indicator of flight paths taken, many other areas in between are also covered and in so doing providing “eyes in the skies” over Tsavo and directional guidance to ground units. • All flight paths are logged and recorded with all relevant real time observations relayed to KWS on a daily basis for their records as well as necessary rapid reaction.
This map shows flight paths covered by Tsavo Trust aircraft in partnership with KWS for April 2016 where 3,750 miles were flown over 50 hours in support of anti poaching and wildlife monitoring over the Tsavo’s
TSAVO TRUST • PO Box 204 • Mtito Andei 90128 • Kenya
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Other Activities and Outcomes: 30th April 2016 marked the historic burning of 105 tons of ivory and rhino horn by the Government of Kenya/KWS. This represented approximately 8,000 elephants and 343 rhino and a very clear message has been sent to the world by Kenya – ban the ivory trade once and for all – “worth more alive than dead”.
Photo shows the impressive pass out parade held at KWS LEA, Manyani on 21st April 2016, where many community conservancies sent a total of 277 scouts for a grueling 3 months of training, carried out by KWS. “Kamungi Conservancy” (the only community wildlife conservancy in Makueni County) sent 12 scouts who passed the course. They will now be deployed into the field to combat the illegal wildlife trade under the stewardship of Tsavo Trust. Funding to make this happen was gratefully received from the US State Department.
TSAVO TRUST • PO Box 204 • Mtito Andei 90128 • Kenya
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• Field Support to KWS Research and Monitoring Department – TENP: Predators Observed from the air and Tembo 2 ground unit: Date
Lion
Leopard
Cheetah
Wild Dog
Serval
2/4/16 5/4/16 15/4/16 18/4/16 22/4/16 23/4/16
-
2 1 (M) -
-
-
TENP TWNP TENP TENP TENP TENP
24/4/16 28/4/16
6 2 (M) 5 1 (F) 10 8 (3F, 5 cubs) 2 (M) 8
Others/Remarks
-
-
-
-
TENP TENP
Totals
42
Nil
3
Nil
Nil
Critically Endangered Species Observed from air and Tembo 2 (not incl. rhino or wild dog): Date 7/4/16 15/4/16 16/4/16 19/4/16 22/4/16 24/4/16 27/4/16 28/4/16
Totals sightings
Hirola
Grevy’s Zebra
Others/Remarks
20 5 13 & 5 6&5 5&1 5&1 5
4 10 -
TENP, Satao, Bachuma TENP, Satao TENP, Satao TENP, Satao TENP, Satao TENP, Satao KMC Ranch TENP, Satao
71
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With thanks and appreciation to Kenya Wildlife Service, Save The Elephants/Wildlife Conservation Network Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF), Stuart Herd, Nick Southgate, James Robertson, Tusk Trust UK & USA, The Woodtiger Fund, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Zoological Society of London, Ndovu Trust (UK), US State Dept., Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, International Elephant Foundation, Wines of the World Ltd, Africa Spirits Ltd, Mike Kirkland/Torben Rune, Satao Camp (Tsavo East) & Southern Cross Safaris (Msa), Salama Fikira, Ian Craig, The Art of BAS & Oak Furniture Ltd (UK), Geri Bauer, Kathy Snowden, Murray Grant, Simon Herd, Saving the Survivors, Karen Laurence-Rowe, OnSafari Kenya Ltd, Anadarko Kenya Co., Askari Project – Australia, Chris Acreman, Paul & James Wilson, Michael Cheffings, Pembroke House School and numerous other individual supporters. Report compiled by Richard Moller – Chief Executive Officer, Tsavo Trust All photographs ©Richard Moller / Tsavo Trust 2016
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