SWT Aerial Report August 2020

AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT MONTHLY REPORT

AUGUST 2020

AERIAL STATISTICS

HOURS FLOWN

KMS COVERED

AREAS PATROLLED

AUGUST 2020

193

25,224

Tsavo East, Tsavo West, Chyulu Hills, KARI Ranch, South Kitui National Reserve, Galana Ranch, Kulalu Ranch, Kishushe Ranch, Lualenyi Ranch, Amu Ranch

AUGUST 2020

MONTHLY AERIAL PATROL MAP

MONTHLY AERIAL SUMMARY Although our ground teams uncovered daily low-level poaching activity, especially snares, there was very little else sighted from the air during August. Poaching activity has been unusually scarce for this time of year, although poachers have become smarter about how they conduct themselves in the Park. For example, whereas shooting blinds were almost always constructed in the immediate vicinity of waterholes in the past, poachers have now begun constructing them on connecting elephant paths. These are much more difficult to detect from the air because it increases the relevant search area exponentially.

The silver lining is that it makes the poachers’ jobs much more difficult as well. They must essentially choose the correct path out of several leading to and from a waterhole, rather than simply waiting for an elephant to come down any one of the paths and take a drink at the waterhole.

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Livestock activity continued unabated for most of the month, and like last month, Tsavo East was relatively under control, though in the north there was a steady increase in the number and depth of incursions into the Park along the Tiva River Delta. It should be noted that although there was an increase, it was nowhere near levels seen in previous years. In Tsavo West, a significant incursion of consistently between 16 and 17 bomas (corrals) were noted along the central Western boundary over several patrols. Towards the end of the month, KWS, taking a break from fighting fires was able to free up a section of rangers to start addressing the livestock issue. On KARI Ranch, there was also an increase in camel activity with 17 camel bomas recorded on one helicopter patrol. The eviction of livestock on KARI Ranch has intentionally been delayed in anticipation of the completion of the electric fence that has been under construction. As of August, this fence which has been funded and constructed by the SWT, has been completed and now spans the entire length of Chyulu Hills and Kibwezi Forest, from Kiboko to Mtito Andei.

In South Kitui National Reserve, there was a significant increase in livestock, especially camels, and especially along the Thua River in the north of the reserve. South Kitui was in fact subject to mounting pressure on multiple fronts, not least of which was charcoal burning. Two main areas where commercial charcoal operations had been suppressed in previous months, saw a significant resurgence. These coordinates were forwarded to KWS for action on the ground.

In the Parks, charcoal burning continues to be limited, particularly in SWT’s areas of operation. One charcoal kiln was located on the banks of the Athi River in the Gazi area. The only major area of concern was in the northeast corner of Tsavo East near Mukomwe Hill. For the last few years there has been a recurring commercial operation going on here.

Because of the remoteness of this part of the Park, it is difficult to reach by vehicle and so ground teams rely on aerial recces to uncover illegal activity. Generally, when discovered, these incursions are very quickly dealt with; however, every few months we are forced to deal with it again. In this instance, the charcoal was discovered within 2 weeks of starting and a KWS operation is ongoing to remove the charcoal burners who this time, instead of leaving the area completely, move slightly further towards the Eastern Boundary of the Park.

The long term plan is to extend the existing cutline, which ends at Mukomwe Hill, along the entire length of the northern boundary so that charcoal burners cannot argue that they didn’t realise they were in the Park. Regardless, the fixed wing aircraft will continue to be instrumental in patrolling this remote corner of Tsavo. Adjacent to the Park, there was a significant amount of charcoal noted on some of ranches, including Kishushe and Lualenyi. Coordinates were provided to KWS to be addressed in joint operations with SWT rangers on the ground.

As was the case last month, fires dedicated much of our team’s efforts in August. Our pilots were heavily occupied throughout the month assisting with fires that continued to ravage the Tsavo Conservation Area. Most of these fires were started deliberately either by livestock herders trying to stimulate fresh grass growth at the end of the dry season, or by arsonists with various malicious intentions. The largest of these fires was in Tsavo West.

On 8th August 2020, a fire broke out in the Tsavo Ecosystem, along the Maktau-Taveta road to the south of Murka.

Appearing only a few kilometres from another fire that broke out a few days earlier. Upon hearing news of the fire, SWT quickly deployed an aircraft and multiple teams to help KWS fight the fire on the ground. Unfortunately, strong winds allowed the fire to quickly jump the highway and set a rapid course for Murka Hill. Our ground teams fought throughout the night but were unable to quell the flames. The following morning, new teams were sent to relieve them, and a fixed wing aircraft returned to assess the situation, which was not good. SWT also sent a helicopter with a Bambi bucket to do water drops. It was quickly apparent that this action would be inadequate against such a large fire. By this point, the fire had formed a large front that stretched several kilometres and required attention in multiple areas. By midmorning, the fire had reached Murka Hill and was moving towards a road to the immediate north. Teams were deployed along this road to backburn ahead of the fire; however, these efforts were too late and before long, the massive fire had managed to leap across the road in two locations and was raging on. SWT pilots were prepared for this and had identified another road several kilometres north from where a new backburn could be started and hopefully head the fire off in time. The helicopter began the process of landing at each of the teams’ locations and issuing instructions of where to position people to begin the backburn. Dozens of firefighters were rapidly moved into location, and not a second too soon, as the first of the two new fires covered several kilometres in about 1.5 hours before coming up against the backburn and going out. Once this fire was neutralized, more teams were deployed to the west to head off the second fire, which at the time was burning more slowly.

During the course of the day our planes, limited to 6 hours of fuel each, worked 3 shifts to cover the fire from morning until last light before having to return to base. Our ground teams remained to fight the fire, along with KWS and teams from Wildlife Works, Teita Estate, National Youth Service, and other volunteers. Fortunately, the bulk of our collective efforts was successful, and the third and final day was largely a mop up operation.

Although this was the biggest of the fires attended to in August, several other fires consumed dozens of hours of aircraft time, either helping to coordinate firefighters on the ground, or scouting reports of fires across the ecosystem.

The helicopter also fought fires in Chyulu Hills directly by conducting water drops by Bambi Bucket to quench flames.

Three veterinary cases were also attended to in August with assistance from the Aerial Unit. One bull elephant was discovered on Teita Sisal Estate with a severely swollen leg and limp. At the time, the Tsavo vet was unavailable, so a fixed wing aircraft was used to ferry a vet in from Amboseli for the treatment. Upon arrival, the vet was met by one of our helicopters as well as vehicles from Teita Estate. Once darted from the helicopter the vet quickly went about assessing the wound, which appeared to have been caused by a bullet. Due to the wound’s position, very close to a joint, the large elephant was given a guarded prognosis for recovery.

One of our helicopters was also used to dart an elephant in the Maasai Mara, which had been found with a spear wound near the base of its tail, possibly as a result of human wildlife conflict. Fortunately, in this case, the elephant was given a good prognosis and is expected to make a full recovery. A third bull was sighted during a search by a fixed wing after reports from a tourist near Lugard’s Falls. Although located, high resolution photographs taken from the aircraft revealed that the wound was actually most likely a growth caused by constant rubbing of an old arrow injury.

Since surgery on these types of growths in a wild setting are extremely difficult and inherently risky, the vet made the decision to opt out of treating him.

Our fixed wing aircraft also conducted several follow-up assessments of a bull that was treated last month with a severe injury on his rear leg. Although it had originally been thought that follow-up treatment would be necessary, we are happy to report that by the end of August, the bull elephant continued to show improvements. The swelling in his leg has decreased and although he is still limping, he appears to be moving around adequately and is even crossing the river.

One noteworthy operation conducted in conjunction with KWS was the translocation of 7 male elephants out of Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary and into the greater Tsavo West NP. This was done to avoid the ongoing destruction of infrastructure within the sanctuary that was being incurred by these individuals. Their removal will also help to relieve pressure on this relatively small, fenced area that had reached capacity. The elephants were spotted with help from SWT fixed wing aircraft, darted by KWS vet from SWT helicopter and transported out of the sanctuary with animal carriers donated to KWS by SWT. Highlights included an increase in sightings of Tsavo’s charismatic predators, including several sightings of lions and lion cubs, wild dogs and their puppies, as well as one cheetah. There were also a number of promising signs that rain might be on the way, including flushes of flowering trees, and a record number of ostrich eggs across the entire ecosystem.

Photographs copyright © 2020 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust