SWT Aerial Surveillance Unit Report January 2022

AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT MONTHLY REPORT

JANUARY 2022

AERIAL STATISTICS

JANUARY 2022

171 HOURS FLOWN

23,674 KMS COVERED

AREAS PATROLLED

Tsavo East and West, Kajiado County (Amboseli to Namanga), KARI Ranch, Galana Ranch, Kulalu Ranch, South Kitui National Reserve, Kuranze, Shimba Hills, Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary

JANUARY 2022

MONTHLY AERIAL PATROL MAP

MONTHLY AERIAL SUMMARY Livestock was once again a major theme in January with extensive time being dedicated by both fixed wing and helicopter on livestock operations. In the north of Tsavo East, two main operations undertaken by KWS were supported by SWT. These multi-day operations involved locating livestock and enclosures by fixed wing, followed by KWS ground teams driving livestock out of the park. The operations were largely successful however follow-up aerial patrols did discover a few small herds of cattle that had evaded eviction.

In Tsavo West large numbers of cattle were also observed. Persistent efforts between SWT airwing and KWS ground teams were successful in removing the majority of livestock from the area north of the Maktau-Taveta Road, but to the south, there was a large influx of cattle, which remained throughout the month. Nevertheless, on one occasion one of our aircraft was able to spot 5 herders and successfully direct a nearby, joint, KWS/SWT team to their location and all 5 herders were apprehended.

In the Chyulu Hills, livestock was mostly absent, with only one sighting of a small herd of cattle being recorded throughout the month. On neighbouring KARI ranch, a small number of livestock was also recorded roughly 2 kilometres within the boundary of the ranch.

Poaching activity was observed both in and out of the park. Inside the park recent and old poaching harbours were discovered during helicopter patrols, one of which had stashed water and a club used for lamping at night. One of the main benefits of the helicopter is its ability to land at strategic locations such as waterholes, which often turns up signs of human activity. During this month the tracks of two suspects were sighted at a waterhole. Although it was too late for a team to follow the tracks that evening, the following day three ground teams were sent to comb the area. Outside of the park, on Galana Ranch, a gang of 7 bushmeat poachers on three motorbikes were spotted on an aerial patrol and followed for over an hour in which time 4 passengers were abandoned in the bush and sacks of meat dropped by the motorbike riders. Though no arrests were made these disruptions go a long way to discouraging future poaching activity. Suspected poaching activity was noted elsewhere on Galana Ranch where a large concentration of motorbike tracks was seen in an area with no livestock.

No veterinary cases were attended to by the Aerial Unit in January however an injured sub-adult elephant was sighted on a helicopter patrol with what appeared to be a swollen left front leg. Although no visible wounds could be seen from the air, a ground team as well as the KWS/SWT Voi Mobile Vet did go to the area to try and assess its condition more closely. Unfortunately, the young elephant disappeared and could not be located again. Further south an orphaned elephant was reported on Kuranze Ranch, but sadly by the time a helicopter arrived to rescue it, it had passed away.

3 elephant carcasses were discovered by the Aerial Unit in January, all with tusks intact and presumed to have died of natural causes – two adults and one juvenile. The tusks of one of the adult elephant carcasses were so heavy that the ground team requested helicopter assistance to carry them out. Once loaded in the helicopter the doors had to remain open as the tusks protruded from both sides of the aircraft. Two giraffe carcasses were also discovered during aerial patrols, both in community areas outside of the park. Although difficult to determine the cause of death, one carcass had been completely stripped of meat, and therefore presumed to be a poaching victim.

Charcoal burning was observed in Chyulu hills (1 kiln and several cut trees), Kishushe Ranch (4 kilns), Tsavo East near Ngiluni (1 kiln), Namanga (large, industrial scale charcoal production), and Galana Ranch (largescale activity). On Galana Ranch, SWT has been focusing primarily on addressing the bushmeat poaching, which is often associated with charcoal burning operations, while the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) who lease the ranch, have been targeting the charcoal burners themselves. This has resulted in a massive reduction of activity however with a shift to more remote parts of the Ranch.

Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) callouts and observations were relatively few in January. Along the border of Tsavo East, a request was responded to push 5 bull elephants through the fence and back into the park but unfortunately, despite considerable effort, the bulls refused to be pushed by the helicopter. Later that evening, though, all 5 bulls walked through the nearby gate of their own accord, back into the park.

To the northwest in Kajiado County, one of our fixed wing aircraft assisted KWS in searching for herds of elephants deep in community areas, which KWS was under pressure to remove. Once located, a KWS helicopter drove several large groups of elephants out of the area. Under pressure, the elephants quickly split up into smaller family units, making the exercise challenging. Given the favourable conditions in the area (ample water and green vegetation) it is likely that the elephants will return.

While HWC cases around Tsavo most often involve elephants, lions often also come into conflict with humans. Sadly, livestock herders often take matters into their own hands and kill lions that threaten their animals. On an aerial patrol near the southern tip of Tsavo East, in search for a weak emaciated lion that had been seen in the area, one of our pilots spotted instead a dead cow surrounded by dead vultures. This is a tell-tale sign of poisoned meat, and a popular method of killing lions with deadly consequences for a host of carnivorous species.

Highlights in January included a number of lion (including one pride of 16), leopard and rhino sightings as well as a pair of honey badgers and a striped hyena. Among the rhino seen was a rhino named “Christmas” with her firstborn calf (new-born). This is a real treat for our pilots who have watched Christmas grow up from being a calf herself.

Photographs copyright © 2022 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust