DSWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Report September 2016

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

ANTI-POACHING UNITS MONTHLY REPORT

SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 MONTHLY SUMMARY: ALL UNITS TOTAL SNARES RECOVERED & COLLECTED: TOTAL ARRESTS MADE: TOTAL WEAPON/EQUIPMENT CONFISCATIONS: TOTAL ILLEGAL STRUCTURES DESTROYED:

654 32 35 36

The long dry season continued into September and the teams focused their efforts on providing a security presence in known poacher hotspots especially around remaining watering holes and rivers, as wildlife and particularly elephants continue to stay close to where they can access water.

In total the teams collected 654 snares with the Meru team continuing to collect a large number of snares, which is the case most months as bush-meat poaching continues to be a threat to Meru National Park. There has also been an increase in the number of cable snares and cable-pit traps found within the TCA this month, mostly aimed at trapping elephants.

In total the teams made 32 arrests this month with the Chyulu team making 10 arrests including 3 for charcoal burning, 5 for livestock incursion and 2 for logging activity in the park. The Ziwani team likewise had a successful month with the arrest of 7 bush-meat poachers all caught with bush-meat and tools in their possession whilst inside the park. Mobile and Burra teams also made arrests of bushmeat poachers during September. Overall 13kgs of bushmeat was confiscated during the month Charcoal burning continues to plague the Tsavo Conservation Area especially in northern Tsavo East, the Mtito area and in the Chyulu Hills. The teams all work hard to destroy any kilns discovered whilst making arrests and deterring further logging activities and encroachment into the parks.

Eight of the DSWT’s Anti-Poaching Units were operating this month with the Kenze and Yatta Units taking annual leave. The Meru and Ithumba teams were also operating for only half of September.

When teams are not operating in their designated zones the other units on call are deployed to those areas to continue a security presence whilst they are away.

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MAP OF ALL UNIT’S PATROL ROUTES

MAP OF ALL UNIT’S ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES

SEPTEMBER 2016

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

DAILY SITUATION REPORT MONTHLY SUMMARY – SEPTEMBER 2016

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED – SEPTEMBER 2016 - All Teams

TOTAL ARRESTS MADE – SEPTEMBER 2016 - All Teams

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SEPTEMBER 2016 DSWT ANTI-POACHING DOG UNIT MONTHLY SUMMARY

Extensive training with the Dog Unit and the helicopter is ongoing. The focus is to ensure that the dogs and their handlers are familiar with routine helicopter deployments, which need to be well coordinated and strictly controlled for the safety of all on board, whilst also achieving a rapid response to any reports needing the team’s backup.

The dogs have been active in the field following up on intelligence from the aerial and ground teams this month. The helicopter has been used on many occasions to transport the dogs to sites of poacher activity; one mission was in a remote area in Tsavo East where poacher tracks had been found along the base of the Yatta Plateau. The dogs found the tracks of four suspected poachers and followed them over a distance, however the tracks were not fresh enough for the dogs to continue the chase.

The ground teams continue to monitor the area for more recent activity whilst creating a security presence.

The Dog Unit has also been spot-checking known poacher hotspots at different water points throughout the TCA, especially along the Yatta and Tiva River. The dogs are able to sniff out camps and areas of recent human activity whilst the rangers can check for any other signs of poacher movement.

The presence alone of the dogs is a great deterrent to poachers and other offenders operating illegally in the parks, whilst the combined effect of the aerial, ground and dog units is achieving great success.

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INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 ZIWANI TEAM PATROL AREA: Central sector of Tsavo West NP south of the Tsavo River DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS LIFTING SNARES 6/9/16

The Ziwani team found a large snare at the Makitau area as well as a fire pit area where poachers were camping

ELEPHANT CARCASS 8/9/16

The DSWT Aerial Unit spotted a young elephant carcass and the team were called in with the vet unit to carry out a post-mortem at Lake Jipe

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

LIFTING SNARES 9/9/16

Fresh set snares set in and around the Mbulia ranch area were lifted by the team

BUSH FIRES 9/9/16

The team put out a bush fire in the park at the Makitau area before it spread. Bush fires can quickly become out of hand in dry areas

CHARCOAL KILN 11/9/16

Fresh wood had been cut for a charcoal kiln at Oza Ranch. The team destroyed the kiln

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

BUSHMEAT POACHER 15/9/16

Poacher arrested at Mbulia in possession of game meat

POACHERS CAMP 16/9/16

Remains of poached zebra at Toloa area at a camp made by poachers

BUSH FIRE 20/9/16

The team along with KWS put out a large fire in the Jipe area which had gotten out of control

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BUSHMEAT POACHERS 22/9/16

Arrested bushmeat poachers with impala and dikdik meat and big snares at the Kishushe area

ELEPHANT CARCASS 23/9/16

An elephant carcass was found at Tsavo river, the team removed the ivory and handed it over to KWS

BUSHMEAT POACHERS 24/9/16

Arrested poachers with bushmeat at the Maktau area

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

LIFTING SNARES 29/9/16

SEPTEMBER 2016

Team members lifting large snares set by poachers at the Maktau area

ZIWANI UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 TIVA TEAM PATROL AREA: Northern sector of Tsavo East NP with a focus along the Tiva River DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS POACHERS HIDE 4/9/16

Poacher's hide in a baobab tree sighted during a patrol at Kyaerock on joint patrol with Mobile Team.

SHOOTING BLIND 5/9/16

Shooting blind sighted at a dry dam at Lesilau along with snares

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SEPTEMBER 2016

ILLEGAL LOGGING 7/9/16

Illegal logging activities and snares found at the Umbi area

CHARCOAL BURNING 16/9/16

Charcoal kiln sighted at Ngazi area and illegal logging

POACHER CAMPS 21/9/16

Several poacher’s jiko’s (fire pits) were found within areas of the Tiva

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

ELEPHANT TRAP 24/9/16

Elephant trap dug underground along the pathway at Tundani area as well as more poacher’s camps

HONEY HARVESTING 25/9/16

Honey harvesting has been rife through the Park this month, as has the number of small wire snares the team has collected

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

TIVA UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016 BURRA TEAM PATROL AREA: Southern sector of Tsavo East NP & the Taita Ranches DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS ELEPHANT RESCUE 2/9/16

The Burra team helped to rescue a baby elephant abandoned in the Dida Harea area

CABLE SNARE AND PIT 4/9/16

A cable and pit trap were discovered and destroyed in the Galana River area

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SEPTEMBER 2016

CHARCOAL ACTIVITIES 5/9/16

Charcoal burners bomas where they live with their families at Galana ADC area were evicted and the charcoal and camp destroyed

CHARCOAL BURNING 9/9/16

A recent charcoal kiln sighted at Kajire area where a logger was also arrested

CATTLE INTRUSION 12/9/16

Team member evicting cows at Ndara area

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

CHARCOAL BURNER 17/9/16

An arrested charcoal burner with his tools used in charcoal burning at Mbulia ranch

LIFTING SNARES 21/9/16

Team lifting up large snares meant for big game along busy animal tracks at Taita Hills sanctuary. A pit snare was also found

LIFTING SNARES 24/9/16

Team members have lifted high numbers of large and small snares during their wider patrols

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

LOGGER ARRESTED 27/9/16

An arrested logger with a panga at Sagala area

BUSHMEAT POACHER 27/9/16

A bushmeat poacher arrested at Sagala area with snares

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

BURRA UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016

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SEPTEMBER 2016 MERU TEAM (Meru National Park) PATROL AREA: This is a mobile team operating in the Meru Conservation Area and National Park DAYS ON DUTY: 15

SECURITY & INCIDENTS LIFTING SNARES 18/9/16

The Meru lifted a medium snares found within the Mike 9 area

LIFTING SNARES 25/9/16

The team lifted small and medium snares at Ura area downstream

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

LIFTING SNARES 27/9/16

SEPTEMBER 2016

The team lifting medium snares at Ciabaringo area

MERU UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

SEPTEMBER 2016 ITHUMBA TEAM PATROL AREA: Northern sector of Tsavo East NP, northern boundary & Gazi DAYS ON DUTY: 10

SECURITY & INCIDENTS LIFTING SNARES 23/9/16

The team patrolled Mathae area and collected small game snares

POACHER’S CAMP 24/9/16

A jiko was found under a tree at Kanziku area and tracks of a poacher were followed

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

HERDER ARRESTED 25/9/16

SEPTEMBER 2016

The arrested herder at Kanziku area was later booked at Mutomo Police Station

ITHUMBA UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016 MOBILE TEAM PATROL AREA: This team is mobile and works where it is needed the most DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS HONEY HARVESTING 4/9/16

Honey harvested from a baobab tree at Kyarock and small snares were also collected

ILLEGAL LOGGING 14/9/16

The team located illegal logging along Tiva area and found snares which they removed

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

BUSHMEAT POACHER 17/9/16

The team arrested a bushmeat poacher from the Umbi area who was in possession of snares and bushmeat

CHARCOAL BURNING 26/9/16

The team found a charcoal kiln and destroyed it in the Athi area

BUSHMEAT POACHERS 27/9/16

The team arrested 2 men for bushmeat poaching, one was found with fish in the Park and the other with bushmeat

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

MOBILE UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016 MTITO TEAM PATROL AREA: Tsavo Triangle, northern sector of Tsavo West NP & surrounding communities DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS LIFTING SNARES 3/9/16

The Mtito team collected a number of small/medium snares

POACHER’S TRAP 7/9/16

An old fashioned trap sighted at the Mangelete area

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

CHARCOAL BURNER 7/9/16

A charcoal burner was arrested by the team, his charcoal was confiscated and the charcoal kiln was destroyed

BUSH MEAT 9/9/16

A man was arrested along the highway with dikdik meat

LIVESTOCK INTRUSION 13/9/16

Illegal grazing in the park. The team evicted the cattle

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

ILLEGAL LOGGING 15/9/16

Logging was found at the Mangelete area, along with some snares and charcoal burning

POACHER’S CAMP 20/9/16

A fresh poachers cooking area was sighted by the team in the Yatta area and the tracks were followed

CHARCOAL BURNING 20/9/16

The team destroyed a number of large kilns in the Gazi area

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

LIFTING SNARES 21/9/16

A number of snares were found at the Mangelete area, along with a large cable snare

TRACKING POACHERS 24/9/16

The team was joint with the dog unit in pursuit of footprints of poachers found in the park

PATROLLING 25/9/16

The team patrolled jointly with the aerial unit and dog unit

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

MTITO UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

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SEPTEMBER 2016 CHYULU TEAM PATROL AREA: Chyulu National Park, Kibwezi Forest and surrounding communities D DAYS ON DUTY: 30

SECURITY & INCIDENTS CHARCOAL ARRESTS 4/9/16

Arrested charcoal burners in the Metava area

LIFTING SNARES 14/9/16

Lifting snares in the Kari area

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016

CHARCOAL ARRESTS 17/9/16

The team arrested a number of men for charcoal burning in the Kikunduku area

CHARCOAL BURNING 19/9/16

Destroying charcoal kilns in the Utu area

LIVESTOCK INTRUSION 26/9/16

Illegal grazing in the Utu area. The team pushed the cattle out of the Park.

Another charcoal kiln was also found

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ELEPHANT SEARCH 29/9/16

SEPTEMBER 2016

At the end of the month the teams searched for an injured elephant needing treatment. The elephant wasn’t found and searches continue

CHYULU UNIT MONTHLY ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES AND PATROL ROUTES

DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SEPTEMBER 2016