DSWT Aerial Surveillance Unit Report June 2017

AERIAL SURVEILLANCE UNIT MONTHLY REPORT

JUNE 2017

AERIAL STATISTICS

JUNE 2017

119.48 HOURS FLOWN

10,322 KMS COVERED

AREAS PATROLLED

Tsavo East, West, Chyulu Hills, South Kitui National Reserve

JUNE 2017

MONTHLY AERIAL PATROL MAP

June was a relatively quiet month, with minimal poaching activity reported by the aircrafts. That being said, towards the beginning of the month, the helicopter and fixed wings were involved in the search for an armed gang of poachers who entered Tsavo West, heading towards Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. After two days of aerial surveillance, however, the ground teams found the poachers’ campfire and their footprints were followed towards the Park boundary with assistance from the DSWT’s Dog Unit, which was dropped by helicopter onto the tracks. No apprehensions were made as it is believed with the increased security presence the poachers fled the park, climbing onto transport along the Nairobi Mombasa road, although it is likely they will make another attempt to enter the Park in the future.

In addition to searching for this gang of poachers, the helicopter also uncovered one active shooting blind at a waterhole in the Northern Area of Tsavo East. Rangers were dropped at the site and an ambush was set, which unfortunately did not turn up an arrest.

An active shooting blind was found by the DSWT Dog Unit and rangers

MONTHLY AERIAL SUMMARY The helicopter was also involved in two cases of human-elephant conflict. The first case involving 5 elephants, which were very close to the town of Mtito Andei, but this had to be aborted due to the proximity of the elephants to dense settlement and the presence of several hundred onlookers. This situation made it difficult to move the elephants any real distance without risking the lives of the observers, who could not be controlled. The elephants were monitored closely by our ground teams and thankfully moved away from the crowds after some time and found their way safely back into the Park.

The second case of human-wildlife conflict was another herd of 5 elephants on the western side of the Chyulu Hills near a town called Iltilal where one of the elephants had unfortunately killed a man the night before. A group of Maasai warriors had gathered and were tracking the elephants with the intention of killing them, so the helicopter was called urgently to push the elephants back into the Park and out of harm’s way from the Maasai. Fortunately, the helicopter was able to quickly locate the elephants and direct them into a lava flow at the edge of the Park, whilst their pursuers were intercepted by rangers from KWS and the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) and talked out of any further action. This is certainly an example of how rapid response from both air and ground is so vital in preventing harm to both wildlife and communities.

Progress has been made on illegal livestock challenges in some areas of the Park, while setbacks have been suffered in others. In the southern area of Tsavo East, KWS has been successful in pushing out almost all livestock between Voi and Bachuma. On the last flight to the area, only 1 small herd of cattle was observed in this area, taking water at a waterhole adjacent to the Standard Gauge Railway, within a few hundred metres of the highway. This is a significant improvement from the situation a few months ago when tens of thousands of cattle, brought in from other parts of Kenya, infiltrated the Park from the town of Maungu.

However, in the northern area of Tsavo East, one of our pilots was surprised to find several thousand cattle that had made their way roughly 60 kilometres into the Park from the town of Kone. They had followed a dry riverbed that originates on the western side of the Park near Ithumba. Ground teams were immediately deployed and 4 herders were apprehended on the first occasion, followed by a further three 3 apprehensions at a later date. Although almost all of the cattle has since been removed from this location, there is still a small number of cattle managing to elude the teams, so operations are ongoing.

Cattle illegally entering the Park and grazing with elephants

Charcoal burning in the Chyulu Hills continues to be an area of focus. On the first aerial patrol of the Chyulus for June, 13 charcoal kilns were found. Since then, the average number of kilns discovered per patrol has dropped to half.

Consistent follow-ups by the team on the ground has ensured that 26 charcoal kilns have been destroyed. More importantly, 12 charcoal burners and 1 poacher were arrested during ambushes that resulted from these sightings.

Furthermore, one of the charcoal burners who was arrested was also found in possession of several wire snares intended for catching medium-sized prey.

A charcoal kiln spotted in the Chyulu Hills

This image shows the difference inside and outside the Park along the new DSWT fence after one rainy season

June is the beginning of the cooler months in Kenya, which keeps vegetation greener for longer, whilst water holes are still fairly abundant. The pilots have enjoyed watching many happy and peaceful elephant herds during the month, sighting some impressive tuskers including a healthy one tusked bull with a family herd. Rhinos are also always a pleasure to see and continued rhino patrols from the air help ensure they remain safe.

Photographs copyright © 2017 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust