DSWT Aerial Surveillance Unit Report November 2015

At this time of year with waterholes full and water no longer a challenge, reports of armed poachers coming into Tsavo East from the eastern boundary have meant that anti-poaching efforts have been increased. The DSWT helicopter has been extremely active in assisting Kenya Wildlife Service rangers on the ground with patrols along this sensitive boundary of Tsavo East where the rains have made it difficult for the KWS vehicles to access the area.

The helicopter has provided KWS rangers with the ability to spot check bomas and show a high profile presence in the area, creating a deterrent to potential ivory poachers. In total six tusks were sighted from the air and recovered during November. Two sets were recovered by the helicopter and one pair was recovered by one of the DSWT ground teams.