J U N E 2 0 2 6
Monthly Overview
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 field operations
This report details all Anti-Poaching Unit activities for June 2026, covering teams on duty.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
34,633
38 Arrests made:
27,678
156 Bushmeat siezed kg:
1,130 Snares confiscated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
JUNE
2026
g p j y g
Conservation Area, collectively securing Kenya's largest national park and the surrounding wilderness. Our work extends to Meru National Park, which provides sanctuary to critically endangered black and white rhinos
We have expanded our anti-poaching presence to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest and the Shimba Hills two of the last remaining coastal strongholds for elephants as well as the Nakuru-Naivasha region, an important corridor in the Rift Valley.
Beyond our directly operated teams, we fund partner-operated units across a wider network of key ecosystems: the Mau Forest, Mount Kenya, the Mara ecosystem, Nasaru Olosho Conservancy, and Amu Ranch. Together, these units protect threatened wildlife and habitats across Kenya.
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
2026
and cautions, including 1 ction, 2 for illegal miraa hese figures highlight the source use remaining the most significant drivers of enforcement action
During the reporting period, the teams also seized 156kg of bushmeat, destroyed 10 charcoal camps and 50 charcoal kilns, and destroyed 10 sacks of charcoal. They also dismantled 3 illegal livestock bomas, seized 15kg of honey, recorded 185 logged trees, and destroyed 18 illegal hides, harbours, and camps.
In June, the teams also discovered 2 elephant carcasses and handed the ivory to the KWS for safekeeping. They also supported human-wildlife conflict operations, pushing elephants out of community areas, along with veterinary cases and rescues
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
JUNE 2026
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/5/2026 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and removed the tusks to hand over to KWS
16/5/2026 ZEBRA RESCUE
The team rescued a young zebra stuck in a gulley in the park
18/5/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning site and logging area in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
5/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal kiln and destroyed it
6/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found more charcoal burning and logging sites in the park
20/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found another charcoal burning site
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
ARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team tackled charcoal burning across their patrol area this month
11/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed another charcoal and logging camp
21/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln found in the park
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small rope and wire snares set by poachers in the park
13/6/2026 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found logging sites in the park
28/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more wire snares set to trap small wild animals
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/6/2026 WILD DOG TREATMENT
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to and SWT/KWS Vet Unit to dart and treat a snared wild dog
8/4/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Mobile South team arrested 2 poachers with bushmeat and poaching tools and a motorbike
8/6/2026 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh carcass believed to have died fromm natural causes and removed the ivory to hand to KWS
16/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher with fresh meat and lamping tools
Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/6/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock and herders from the protected area
19/6/2026 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team discovered an elephant carcass believed to have died from natural causes and handed over the ivory to KWS
28/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team found wire snares set by poachers in the park
Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team found wires snares set by poachers in the park
18/6/2026 LOGGING AND CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a logging site and charcoal burning activities
26/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team found traditional traps set to ensnare wild animals
30 Days on duty: KARI Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a large number of wire snares set by poachers in the park
27/6/2026 SNARE TRAP
The team found and destroyed a trap in the park
28/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by poachers in the park
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & KARI Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 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
23/6/2026 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
25/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares and traps found in the park which were set by poachers to trap wildlife
30/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
More snares were removed from the park
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/6/2026
DAILY PATROLS
The team continued daily patrols for their on-duty part of the month, but didn't record any illegal activities
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026
SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
h ll h dents attended to by this team during the month
3/6/2026
ILLEGAL HARVESTING
The team caught a man in the park harvesting and cautioned him
8/6/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted many wire snares from the conservation area set by poachers to trap animals
9/6/2026
LIFTING SNARES
More snares were lifted from the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the park
15/6/2026 ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat a snared zebra
15/6/2026 WATERBUCK TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat a snared waterbuck
Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026
SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/6/2026 CANNABIS PLANATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation in the park
13/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man caught snaring birds in the park
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
25/6/2026 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team removed more cannabis plants from the area
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
ARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/6/2026 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs of logging in the park
17/6/2026 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found more logging sites
26/6/2026 ILLEGAL ENTRY
The team found footprints around logging sites
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 poachers with fresh bushmeat in the park
26/6/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small wire snares set by poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
Northern Area of Tsavo East
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
w of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/6/2026
DAILY PATROLS
The team patrolled for their on-duty portion of the month and didn't note any illegal activities in their patrol area
Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/6/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team worked on removing livestock from the park this month and arrested herders
7/6/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted more herds of cattle from the park
9/6/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team continued the mission to remove herds of livestock
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/6/2026
ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit and Vet Unit to treat an injured elephant
10/6/2026
BUFFALO TREATMENT
The team helped rescue a buffalo
22/6/2026
BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with fresh meat and poaching tools in the park
Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
16/6/2026
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a poacher caught with snares in the park the team removed snares set in the area
11/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a bird trap and lifted more snares
25/6/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln and charcoal sacks ready for market
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park
24/6/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more small snares set by bushmeat poachers
27/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught in the park setting wire snares
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
JUNE 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/6/2026
ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an old elephant carcass and handed over the tusks to KWS for safekeeping
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park
18
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
ARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers
15/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
More snares were lifted from the conservation area
21/6/2026 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by poachers
Tsavo East National Park and needed
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
13/6/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team confiscated 2 motorbikes with a large consignment of bushmeat including a giraffe carcass
13/6/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found and evicted livestock in the park
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 field, each and every day
2026 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust