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 June 2025. During the month the Mobile South team wason annual leave whilst the Ziwani, Ithumba, Kajiado, Mtito, Thabagunji teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
46,457
35 Arrests made:
27,678
41 Elephant Ivory con scated kg:
1046 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
JUNE 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
JUNE 2025
During the month the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1046 snares and made 35 arrests including the arrest of 12 poachers and 5 arrests for offenders caught in possession of bushmeat. Other arrests made during the month include 2 charcoal burners, 1 livestock herder, 5 loggers, and 6 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps totaled over 42kg including mostly hippo meat and dikdik and 33 carcasses.
During the month, the teams destroyed 18 charcoal kilns, 7 charcoal camps, including the con scation of 5 charcoal sacks. 40 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks were also found and destroyed.
In June the teams also discovered 4 elephant carcasses and handed over 41kg of ivory to the KWS for safekeeping
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
JUNE 2025
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
JUNE 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
JUNE 2025
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning site in the park and destroyed it
13/6/2025 CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found and destroyed a charcoal camp - the offenders escaped
25/6/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found illegal logging within the protected areas
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/6/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass with tusks still in tact and removed them to handover to KWS for safekeeping
6/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal and logging site
24/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of small and medium snares during the month
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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:
2/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a man in the park caught with dried bushmeat
5/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported the Vet Unit with the treatment of an elephant with a tracking collar
19/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a bushmeat poacher with a motorbike and a large consignment of bushmeat
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the protected area
15/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found an active charcoal kiln and destroyed it
26/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended 2 bushmeat poachers on a motorbike with a large consignment of fresh poached dikdiks
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
28/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team found a small site where logging had taken place
28/6/2025 ELEPHANT IVORY
The team found a large broken tusk and handed it over to KWS for safekeeping
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/6/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team helped the KWS in capturing livestock found being grazed by herders illegally inside the park
26/6/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team captured another herd of livestock found grazing in the park
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The Yatta team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
10/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning and logging site in the park and destroyed it
27/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The Yatta team supported another veterinary treatment of an injured elephant
30 Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
15/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team supported another veterinary treatment of an elephant with a food wound
19/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team once again helped on another elephant treatment
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a live charcoal kiln
29/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team con scated a bag of fresh bushmeat from a poacher who escaped
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo West
18
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/6/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs of illegal logging in the protected areas
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
14/6/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The Mukururo team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
18/6/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Kenze team arrested a gang of men caught camping and logging in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
17/6/2025 GIRAFFE TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat a snared giraffe
25/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught with fresh bushmeat
29/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man and apprehended a vehicle loaded with a huge consignment of fresh bushmeat
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
9/6/2025 MIRAA CAMP
The team found a recently used camp by miraa harvesters in the park
29/6/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested a logger in his camp in the park
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/6/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and removed its tusks to handover to KWS for safekeeping
19/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a fresh charcoal kiln and destroyed it
27/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher caught with fresh bushmeat, bows and arrows
30 Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed small snares from the park
23/6/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team worked with the SWT/KWS Vet Unit to treat an elephant with an arrow wound
28/6/2025 ELEPHANT TUSK
The team found a large piece of broken ivory and handed it over to KWS
18 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/6/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
18 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of large snares from the park
8/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
28/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/6/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found large snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East
30
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found an assortment of snares in the protected areas
11/6/2025 ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to push elephants out from community land and back into the park
28/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with snares
Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/6/2025 LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
20/6/2025 ILLEGGAL LOGGING
The team apprehended a man with found logging in the park
27/6/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site and con scated the poles
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park, which were set by poachers to trap wildlife
20/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested two men caught with fresh bushmeat in their homestead
23/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal kiln in the park and destroyed it
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and removed the tusks to handover to KWS
14/6/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a man caught building a charcoal kiln in the park
18/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
25/6/2025 LIVESTOCK
INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park
18
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 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:
2/6/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers
11/6/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found and pushed out livestock from the park
26/6/2025 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
JUNE 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team found a site used by poachers and followed tracks
26/6/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
30 Days on duty: Galana Wildlife Conservancy 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
