SWT AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT REPORT APRIL 2021

AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT MONTHLY REPORT

APRIL 2021

AERIAL STATISTICS

APRIL 2021

137 HOURS FLOWN

19,176 KMS COVERED

AREAS PATROLLED

Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Chyulu Hills, South Kitui National Reserve, Mbulia Ranch, Kishushe Ranch, Oza Ranch, Tana River

MONTHLY AERIAL SUMMARY There was a noticeable increase in veterinary cases in April, which was partially due to 3 of these cases occurring many miles outside of Tsavo where the SWT has recently expanded its ground anti-poaching efforts into the Shimba Hills and Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary ecosystem. Inevitably, in addition to the scores of snares and other wildlife traps that are recovered when our teams move into a new area, there are also injured animals that turn up as well. On two separate occasions, our fixed wing aircraft were called to assist with the treatment of an elephant with a deep snare wound around its front leg as well as a buffalo that was caught in a snare. The buffalo miraculously broke free from its snare upon the vet’s arrival, fortunately not sustaining a flesh wound, but the elephant, however, was not as lucky.

When the veterinary team arrived, they discovered the young female elephant with a terrible snare wound on her front leg. Despite having the snare removed, the wound cleaned out thoroughly and antibiotics administered, the vet was worried that she would need follow-up treatment due to the severity of the injury. It was decided that the ground team would monitor her condition over the next 3 weeks and the vet could make a final decision based on her recovery.

The story took an unexpected twist a few days later when she gave birth to a tiny baby, which emerged from the amniotic sac and stumbled into the middle of our anti-poaching team (you can read more about this incredible story here: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/news/updates/unexpected-surprise)

A third veterinary callout also occurred well outside the Tsavo area after a report came in from Northern Rangelands Trust about a young elephant calf that had become ensnared in a large rope snare in the riverine forest of the Tana River. Transported by helicopter, the veterinary team was able to quickly remove the rope snare from the calf and finding that the snare had not yet done significant damage, apply antiseptic spray and release the calf to re-join its mother who had remained in the nearby forest. This case was a perfect illustration of the value of quick response, made possible by a helicopter.

Only one treatment of a bull elephant was attended to in Tsavo, with assistance from the Aerial Unit. The large bull had first been sighted on a routine fixed wing patrol with what appeared to be an arrow or spear wound high on his shoulder. The vet was flown in by helicopter and then darted successfully so that the vet could examine the wound.

Due to the absence of an arrow in the wound, the vet assumed that the injury had been caused by a spear, delivered from above. Luckily, once cleaned, and with antibiotics administered, he is expected to make a full recovery.

There were two other reports of injured elephants that were searched for by fixed wing. The first, was a bull elephant that had been sighted in a vicious, long-lasting fight with another bull atop a rocky kopje. After the fight, large amounts of blood were seen spilled all over the rock and so out of an abundance of caution, a search was conducted the following day to try and ascertain how bad the injury was. The bull was not successfully located but was most likely not in dire need of treatment, either. The second report was of another bull with a severe limp seen by one of our staff near our field headquarters. Despite extensive searches, he was never located.

In addition to treatments, there was also a single rescue of an abandoned elephant calf that had unfortunately suffered terrible attacks by a pack of hyenas. After rescuing the calf and airlifting it back to our field headquarters for intensive care, it sadly succumbed to its injuries.

There was a slight decrease in Human-Elephant Conflict callouts as conditions dried out and elephants began withdrawing back into the Park. However, helicopters did respond to 7 callouts, most of which were successful in removing elephants from problem areas and pushing them back into protected areas, or far enough from human settlement that they no longer posed a risk.

No fresh poaching activity was detected from the air, however, the airwing was called out on two occasions to respond to sightings on the ground. On one occasion a helicopter was used to transfer a handler and dog to Ithumba to follow fresh human footprints. The suspects escaped the Park before they could be apprehended. Bicycle tracks were also seen by a ground team in the Tsavo Triangle and an extensive search of the area was conducted by helicopter. Similarly, fresh footprints were found on the Yatta Plateau and another search was conducted by helicopter. Although nothing was seen on either occasion, the presence of the helicopter is often a strong deterrent in and of itself.

Although there has been a reduction in the amount of marijuana being sighted in Chyulu Hills NP, several small patches were sighted on a single helicopter patrol. Coordinates for these were passed onto ground teams so that the plants could be destroyed. A lot of evidence of honey harvesting was detected in the Park in April, including a rope hanging from a baobab, spotted during a routine helicopter patrol, that was used to climb the tree to reach a hive.

Although slightly early for fire season, there was one fire on the eastern side of the Yatta Plateau that required intervention. Originally sighted by KWS, a quick survey was undertaken by a helicopter on its way back from a patrol in the south and determined what action was needed. In the end, the water bowser, and multiple teams from KWS and SWT fought the fire until 11pm. A follow-up was conducted the next morning to confirm that the fire was completely out and to assess the damage, which totalled 10,766 acres. With large amounts of rain, the preceding 3 years, it is likely that this fire season will be just as fierce as last years.

Very little charcoal and logging activity was recorded in April, all of it being outside of the Park and in South Kitui National Reserve, where charcoal burning has decreased from previous levels.

Livestock invasions persist in both Tsavo East and West, with the majority occurring in Tsavo West. On two flights, 10 bomas were recorded as well as a few thousand head of cattle and goats. All coordinates were handed over to KWS for action.

No poached elephant carcasses were observed; however, a very old carcass of a female elephant was found with both tusks intact. This has been a growing trend with almost all carcasses being found now still having their tusks, which is obviously a great indicator that poaching has reduced dramatically.

Other findings included 15 illegal fishermen on Lake Jipe and 3 women collecting firewood in the Park in Tsavo East.

Highlights included sightings of striped hyena and lion.

Photographs copyright © 2021 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust