SWT Aerial Surveillance Unit Report August 2021

AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT MONTHLY REPORT

AUGUST

AERIAL STATISTICS

AUGUST 2021

164 HOURS FLOWN

21,359 KMS COVERED

AREAS PATROLLED

Tsavo East, West, Taita Ranch, Kishushe Ranch, Galana and Kulalu Ranches, Chyulu Hills NP, Kuku Ranch, Satao Elerai Conservancy, Amboseli

AUGUST 2021

MONTHLY AERIAL PATROL MAP

MONTHLY AERIAL SUMMARY Although there were livestock incursions in both Tsavo East and West this month, the greatest amount of time and effort was spent addressing livestock incursions along the Tiva River, an operation which KWS began the previous month. Although the bulk of livestock had already vacated the Bisadi area, there were a few stubborn herds that persistently refused to leave, choosing instead to play a game of cat and mouse with KWS rangers. Our aircraft conducted 7 separate patrols in the area Supporting efforts. Once the bulk of the herds had left, KWS rangers with assistance from our helicopter, conducted an operation filling in dozens of shallow wells that had been dug by the herders in the sandy river bed of the Tiva River to access subterranean water for their livestock. These wells pose a huge threat to baby elephants who can easily fall in and become trapped or injured so this endeavour was a priority.

Only 3 incidences of Human-Elephant Conflict were reported to us in August resulting in elephants being pushed by helicopter back into the park and out of harm’s way in all three cases. Several bushfire callouts were responded to by fixed wing and helicopter providing surveillance over active fires. Follow up on extinguished fires to check for possible flareups, deliver supplies to firefighters and conduct water drops was done. 18 water drops were completed with the worst of the fires in Chyulu Hills National Park, which burned 3500 acres. The helicopter was instrumental in assisting fire fighters on the ground to put out flames. Fortunately, the Park was spared from the fire burning up into the precious cloud forest when it came to an abrupt stop against a new 22+ km firebreak road, which was recently constructed by SWT with funds secured from the sale of carbon credits by the Chyulu Hills Conservation Trust, of which SWT is a partner. Charcoal activity was notably absent throughout most of the protected areas that we patrol, with the exception of 2 charcoal kilns observed in the Chyulu Hills which were later destroyed by ground teams.

There were a number of veterinary cases attended to and assisted by the SWT aircraft. Whilst the Tsavo vet had been completing a post mortem on an elephant carcass, a report came in from Wildlife Works of a bull elephant sighted on Taita Ranch suffering from a suspected poisoned arrow injury. The vet was collected from the post mortem site by our helicopter and whisked down to Taita Ranch to dart and treat the bull, which thankfully is expected to make a full recovery as a result of this rapid intervention.

While the majority of cases that we help the veterinary teams attend involve elephants this month a tragic report came in from Kuku Ranch on the western side of the Chyulus with information that a pride of lions had been poisoned

by Masai cattle herders. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit Vet was again collected by helicopter and rushed to the scene where 3 lions were found, 2 unconscious and another unable to move. Several days of treatments followed and a fourth poisoned lion was later discovered and treated. Of the 4 lions, 2 sadly passed away, 1 was treated and immediately released, and the last was taken to Nairobi for intensive treatment and later brought back and released.

Although obviously not the best outcome, but it’s thanks to a rapid response and the tireless efforts of the team that 2 of the 4 lions were saved.

On the same day the lions were first treated, a 2nd case was attended to in Amboseli where a report had come in of an elephant with a wire snare. The elephant was found in a swamp and had to be shepherded out with the helicopter before it could be darted and treated. The snare turned out instead to be a long length of fencing wire that the elephant had become entangled in. Fortunately, the wire had not yet caused any major damage and was quickly removed before the elephant was revived and went on its way.

Another case was attended to near Amboseli in Satao Elerai Conservancy where a bull elephant was found suffering from a spear wound to its flank. Fortunately, he too was successfully darted from the helicopter and treated for his wounds, with a very good prognosis.

Two other veterinary cases were assisted by helicopter, which involved the re-collaring of a bull elephant and the decollaring of a female elephant. Both tracking collars had become inoperable and had ceased to transmit data.

One elephant carcass was discovered in August a young female elephant that had died of suspected natural causes (post mortem carried out by Voi Mobile Vet Unit). Unfortunately, the hovering helicopter that sighted the carcass must have piqued the interest of a nearby observer, because before a ground team could arrive on site to retrieve the ivory, an opportunist had cut out and made away with the tusks.

With regard to poaching activity, the Aerial Unit enjoyed good success in August. Most notably, one of our helicopters was called by KWS to deploy the SWT K9 Unit to follow tracks that had been discovered on one of their routine patrols.

The team was able to follow the tracks to a largescale illegal mining operation in the park and arrested 3. Follow-up aerial patrols to the mine did not uncover any new activity. On another helicopter patrol, signs of recent honey harvesting were spotted. Upon arriving on the scene, ground teams intercepted 2 suspects leaving the area. It was confirmed that they were responsible for the honey harvesting activity but not only that, they had also been hunting for bushmeat in the area.

On yet another occasion one of our helicopter pilots spotted 3 men running out of the park after locating a fresh hardwood cutting site. Although the men made a clean getaway, KWS rangers were later deployed to confiscate the firewood. Numerous hideouts and campfires were located during other fixed wing and helicopter patrols; however, these were mostly old activity as opposed to fresh/active.

On the 25th of August we responded to an emergency after reports of an air crash in the Chyulu Hills. Our helicopter medevac’d the Injured pilot and passenger to The Aga Khan hospital.

Some highlights from the month included yet more wild dog sightings as well as the usual big cat sightings, including a lovely large male leopard on the Tsavo River.

Photographs copyright © 2021 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust