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 February 2025. During the month the Umbi and Sobo teams were on annual leave whilst the Kulalu II, Chyulu, Chyulu Mobile, Dakadima, Mobile North, Shompole and Yatta teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
34,580
48 Arrests made:
27,678
37 Elephant ivory con scated (kg):
1029 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
FEBRUARY 2025
We currently operate 28 Anti-Poaching Teams with the KWS throughout Kenya. 22 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 2 teams based in the Mau Forest, an important water catchment area in the Rift Valley. We have also 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
FEBRUARY 2025
During February the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1029 snares and made 48 arrests including 13 arrests for poaching activities and 2 arrests for possession of bushmeat. Other arrests made during the month included 5, charcoal burners, 4 sherman, 1 honey harvester, 11 livestock herders, 5 loggers, 1 miraa harvester, 1 arrest for possession of sandalwood,and 5 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks. Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps totaled 10kg including 30 more carcasses.
During the month, the teams destroyed 24 charcoal kilns and 3 charcoal camps, including many charcoal sacks, along with 19 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks and 4 livestock bomas.
In February the teams also helped the SWT/KWS Vet Units treat 2 injured elephants, 1 wildebeest and 1 zebra They also discovered 3 elephant carcasses and handed over 37kg of ivory to the KWS
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
FEBRUARY 2025
ARRESTS MADE
FEBRUARY 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
FEBRUARY 2025
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning site in the park and destroyed it
15/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found old wire snares in the park and removed them
25/2/2025 BROKEN IVORY
The team found pieces of broken ivory most likely broken during a natural elephant ght
30 Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/2/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo SWT/KWS Mobile Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
9/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
24/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of snares from the conservation area during the month
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
30 Days on duty:
4/2/2025 LION RESCUE
The team rescued a juvenile lion found trapped in a well The lion was released into the park without injury
9/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a poacher in the park with snares and supplies and a motorbike
23/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 poachers in the park with snares and dried bushmeat and a bicycle
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/2/2025 LOGGING
The team found and destroyed a logging camp in the park
18 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
21/2/2025 CAMPSITE
The team found a recently used camp in the park Most likely set up by bushmeat poachers
22/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
Snares were lifted from the park set by poachers to trap small wild animals
18 Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Northern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
1/2/2025
DAILY PATROLS
The Mobile South team continued with patrols throughout the ,month Due to an issue with their camera they were unable to capture photos
on duty:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
15/2/2025 ILLEGAL LIVESTOCK
The team found livestock grazing in the protected areas
24/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found numerous snares set by poachers in the park and removed them
30 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/2/2025 ELEPHANT
CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass in the park with its tusk still intact The ivory was handed over to KWS for safekeeping
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East
18
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/2/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock found grazing illegally in the park
25/2/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis planation in the park
18 Days on duty:
Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 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
6/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat Sadly the poacher escaped
14/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
22/4/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
14/2/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park and arrested one man found logging
15/2/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers to trap small animals
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/2/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The Mukururo team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
30
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
17/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Kenze team found and removed snares set by poachers in the conservation area
20/2/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team helped to ght a large out of season bush re most likely set intentionally to clear space by those growing plantations of cannabis and miraa
22/2/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis planation in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/2/2025 ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the vet unit treat a snared zebra
22/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
28/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
18 Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
25/2/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested a man caught harvesting miraa in the park
26/2/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team found and destroyed an illegal camp in the park set up by offenders growing and harvesting miraa
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
18
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team removed some small wire snares from the conservation area, which were set by poachers to catch small game
18 Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
30 Days on duty:
4/2/2025 LION TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Mobile Vet Unit rescue and treat a young injured lion
12/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many small and medium wire snares from the park during the month
24/2/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass and handed over the ivory to the KWS
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/2/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The Kajiado team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
20/2/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park. 1 offender was arrested
24/2/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found another logging site in the park
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/2/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested 2 men caught logging in the park
23/2/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher found setting snares in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Meru National Park
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
30 Days on duty:
4/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set by poachers in the park
17/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many small snares from the park during the month
23/2/2025 POACHERS CAMP
The team found a poachers camp with an abandoned spear, poisoned arrows and snares
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/2/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
30 Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/2/2025
ILLEGAL FISHING
The team arrested 2 men caught shing in the protected area
21/2/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and arrested a man caught logging
27/2/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares and traps from the area set by poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/2/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by poachers in the park
25/2/2025
SANDALWOOD HARVESTING
The team apprehended a man found transporting sacks of sandalwood from the park
30 Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
FEBRUARY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
30 Days on duty:
4/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team lifted small snares set by poachers in the park
12/2/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed more snares from the park
21/2/20245 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning camp and arrested 1 charcoal burner
Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
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
