Operated in collaboration with the Kenya Wildlife Service, the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Anti-Poaching Teams monitor for illegal activity and support all manner of eld operations
This report details all Anti-Poaching Unit activities for July 2025. During the month the Yatta and Kwale teams were on annual leave whilst the Bura, Kapangani, Kenze, Kichwa Tembo, Kulalu, Meru, Mukururo, Tiva, Tsavo Mobile teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
39,852
34 Arrests made:
27,678
22 Charcoal Kilns destroyed:
1,679 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
JULY 2025
We currently operate 29 Anti-Poaching Teams with the KWS throughout Kenya. 23 teams are based in the greater Tsavo Conservation Area, collectively securing Kenya’s largest national park and the surrounding wilderness One team is based in Meru National Park, which provides sanctuary to critically endangered black and white rhinos. Under the direction of Mara Elephant Project, we also fund two teams based in the Mau Forest, an important water catchment area in the Rift Valley. We have expanded our anti-poaching presence to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Shimba Hills, which are two of the last remaining coastal strongholds for elephants
While each team works within a designated region, many also work on a rotating, mobile basis, providing continuous coverage when other teams are on leave This helps to ensure a constant level of vigilance in Kenya’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG
JULY 2025
During the month, SWT/ KWS Anti-Poaching Teams lifted 1,679 snares and made 34 arrests, including the arrest of 15 offenders caught in possession of bushmeat and two suspected bushmeat poachers. Other arrests made during the month include two charcoal burners, six loggers, and nine arrests made for illegal entry into the parks Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps included over 80 carcasses, including two large giraffe carcasses, 66 dik-diks, and many birds and hares.
During the month, the teams destroyed 22 charcoal kilns and one charcoal camp, including the con scation of nine charcoal sacks 36 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks were also found and destroyed.
In July, the teams also discovered one elephant carcass and handed over three kg of ivory to the KWS for safekeeping. They also supported an orphaned elephant rescue and an operation to free an adult elephant from mud, along with several veterinary cases involving elephants, a zebra, and a buffalo.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
JULY 2025
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
JULY 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
JULY 2025
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/7/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found an active charcoal kiln in the park and destroyed it
24/7/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought an out of control wild re on the side of the Mombasa Highway
30/7/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported the Tsavo Vet Unit with treating an injured elephant
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
18
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with fresh dikdik meat and a camera trap
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most
18
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended men in the park caught with fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
30/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man caught with bushmeat and dried skins
Days on duty:
18
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within
Kulalu & Galana Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found some old snares in the conservation area
9/7/2025 CAMPSITE
The team found a recently used re and camp in the park suggestive of poachers in the area
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
16/7/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a small logging site in the park
27/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found a recently abandoned camp with fresh bushmeat - the poachers escaped
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team found snares placed by poachers in the park
9/7/2025
BUFFALO TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit to treat an injured buffalo
15/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found medium wire snares set by poachers in the park
30 Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
14/7/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team helped the KWS in capturing livestock found being grazed by herders illegally inside the park
27/7/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team captured another herd of livestock found grazing in the park
Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed snares from the park set by poachers
6/7/2025 LOGGING CAMP
The team apprehended 3 men in a camp in the park carrying out logging activities
30 Days on duty:
Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West
10/7/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a live charcoal kiln
19/7/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found another kiln and destroyed it along with a makeshift camp
23/7/2025 ELEPHANT ORPHAN RESCUE
The team helped the SWT Elephant Keepers rescue a baby elephant found alone and in distress
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found many makeshift bird snares set on wildlife tracks within the park
22/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team ambushed 2 bushmeat poachers on bicycles with fresh meat
23/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large wire snares set by poachers to trap wildlife
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team found snares in the conservation area set by bushmeat poachers and removed them
27/7/2025 CAMPSITE
The team found a recently used campsite, most probably used by bushmeat poachers operating in the area
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
18
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
27/7/2025
CAMPSITE
The Kenze team found a recently used re pit and camp in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
18
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by poachers in the park
14/7/2025 ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit release and treat a snared zebra
15/7/2025 BUFFALO TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit again with a snared buffalo
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by poachers
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
9/7/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team apprehended 2 men caught logging in the park
13/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
17/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a large snare trap in the park set by poachers and removed it
23/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a man caught with snares
25/7/2025 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team helped to rescue an elephant stuck in a muddy well
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed snares from the park
27/7/2025 BUSHMEAT CAMP
The team con scated fresh bushmeat from a camp The poachers ed the scene and escaped
31/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed a mix of large and small snares from the park
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/7/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
26/7/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
28/7/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
16/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of large snares from the park
22/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Meru National Park
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found large snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
27/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team con scated fresh bushmeat from poachers who ed the scene
31/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found large snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
18 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/4/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found an assortment of snares in the protected areas
24/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by poachers
31/7/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/7/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team con scated sacks of charcoal made in the park
16/7/2025
ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant calf with a snare wound to the trunk
26/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found small and medium snares set by poachers in the park
6/7/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested 2 men caught logging in the park
21/7/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested poachers caught with a fresh giraffe carcass
11/7/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
31/7/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team helped ght a wild re in the park
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
18 Days on duty:
20/7/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The Tsavo Mobile team evicted livestock found grazing in the park
23/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested bushmeat poachers with a large consignment of fresh bushmeat
26/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers and con scated a motorbike loaded with fresh meat
Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JULY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
18/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with motorbikes loaded with bushmeat
20/7/2025 LION TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured lion
26/7/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams, as with all Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's conservation projects, is a donor-funded initiative Thank you to our global supporters, who help us secure Kenya's habitats for the future and make an impact in the eld, each and every day
