S H E L D R I C K
W I L D L I F E
T R U S T
ANTI-POACHING TEAMS OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
MARCH 2025 REPORT
MARCH 2025
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 March 2025. During the month the Mtito team was on annual leave whilst the Ithumba, Kajiado, Meru, Mobile South, Thabagunji and Ziwani teams worked part of the month. The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
27,678
Kilometres covered on patrol:
Arrests made:
Elephant ivory confiscated (kg):
Snares confiscated:
43,339
46
53
1,190 1
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES M A RC H 2 0 2 5
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.
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S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG M A RC H 2 0 2 5
During the month the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 1,190 snares and made 46 arrests including 4 arrests for poaching activities and 3 arrests for possession of bushmeat. Other arrests made during the month included 3 charcoal burners, 1 fisherman, 7 firewood collectors, 11 livestock herders, 4 loggers, and 3 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks. Bushmeat confiscated from poachers and camps totaled 11kg including 17 carcasses. During the month, the teams destroyed 40 charcoal kilns, 11 charcoal camps, including 8 charcoal sacks, along with 18 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks and 7 livestock bomas. In March the teams also discovered 3 elephant carcasses and handed over 53kg of ivory to the KWS.
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S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED MARCH 2025
ARRESTS MADE MARCH 2025
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INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS MARCH 2025
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S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 8/3/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING The team found a charcoal burning site in the park and destroyed it
19/3/2025
LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of livestock found illegally grazing in the park - the herders escaped
21/3/2025
CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found and destroyed a charcoal camp
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Tsavo West NP & where needed most 6
7
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 3/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln found in the park
15/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
27/3/2025
ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an elephant with a poaching wound but sadly the elephant's injuries were too severe and it had to be euthanised
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Voi & Tsavo East 8
9
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 16/3/2025
CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found a charcoal camp with bags of charcoal ready for market
17/3/2025
ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat an elephant with an arrow wound but sadly the elephant died from its injuries
26/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches 10
11
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/3/2025 LOGGING The team found and destroyed a logging camp in the park
13/3/2025 LOGGING The team found and destroyed a logging camp in the park
15/3/2025 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted a number of wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Galana Ranch and where needed most 12
13
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small wire snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
14/3/2025
ELEPHANT POACHER
The team arrested a poacher caught with a bow and poisoned arrows used to hunt and kill elephants
3/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
Snares were lifted from the park set by poachers to trap small wild animals
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Fully Mobile in Northern Tsavo Conservation Area 14
15
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 17/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team found a recently used bushmeat poachers camp and remove wire snares from the area
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area 16
17
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 13/3/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION The team rounded up a herd of cattle found grazing in the park
16/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of wire snares and bird traps from the park
24/3/2025
LIVESTOCK HERDERS
The team arrested four livestock herders found grazing thier cattle within the protected area
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Lake Jipe & where needed most 18
19
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 6/3/2025
ELEPHANT IVORY
The team found a piece of broken elephant tusk in the park, which had most likely broken off during a natural elephant fight
14/3/2025
ELEPHANT IVORY
The team found another piece of ivory, which was again handed over to KWS for safekeeping
31/3/2025
LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found and evicted livestock in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East 20
21
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 3/3/2025
WORLD WILDLIFE DAY
The team participated in the annual World Wildlife Day activities with KWS and stakeholders
11/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed a large number of snares from the conservation area
20/3/2025
CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis planation in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch 22
23
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 21/3/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING The team destroyed a live charcoal kiln found in the park near logging sites
25/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
30/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team destroyed another charcoal kiln
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Tsavo West 24
25
MARCH 2025 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 22/3/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
27/3/2025
GIRAFFE CARCASS
The team found a fresh carcass of a giraffe, which is presumed to have died from natural causes
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Galana Conservancy & Thabangunji 26
27
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 4/3/2025
CANNABIS PLANTATION
The Mukururo team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation in the park
9/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team found a number of wire snares in the park set by bushmeat poachers
11/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found more snares during the month
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills 28
29
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 5/3/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Kenze team found an illegal logging site and camp in the park
17/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a man caught harvesting charcoal from a kiln in the park
19/3/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found another logging site
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Kibwezi Forest 30
31
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 5/3/2025
BUFFALO TREATMENT
The team helped the vet unit treat a snared buffalo
17/3/2025
ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team supported the vet unit in treating a snared zebra
30/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo 32
33
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 25/2/2025
CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation in the park
18/3/2025
FENCE REPAIR
The team helped the fence repair crew repair a fence broken by elephants
21/3/2025
BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a bushmeat poacher found setting wire snares in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills 34
35
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 6/3/2025 BUFFALO TREATMENT The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured buffalo
24/3/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT The team helped the Vet Unit treat an elephant with a poisoned arrow wouund
27/3/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT The team once again supported the Vet Unit in treating an injured elephant
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Greater Galana Conservation Area 36
37
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 22/3/2025
CHARCOAL CAMP
The team discovered a charcoal camp and arrested 2 charcoal burners who were also caught with fresh bushmeat
25/3/2025
POACHERS
The team arrested 2 poachers with bows and arrows and snares
30/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found large snares in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Northern Area of Tsavo East 38
39
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 1/3/2025
ONGOING PATROLS
Due to an issue with the Kajiado team's camera this month no photos are available
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke 40
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of large snares from the park
24/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
18
Meru National Park 41
42
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 14/3/2025 POACHING The team found a homestead with a bow and arrows and poaching equipment
18/3/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
31/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found several small snares in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Northern Area of Tsavo East 43
44
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 4/3/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING The team found a logging site in the park
10/3/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team arrested a poacher in the park caught with a consignment of bushmeat and poaching tools
13/3/2025 FIREFIGHTING The team helped fight a bushfire in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Galana Conservation Area 45
46
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 14/3/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested a man caught logging and woodcarving in the park
15/3/2025
FIREFIGHTING
The team helped fight a wild fire in the park
24/3/2025
ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured zebra
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Shimba Hills National Reserve 47
48
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 10/3/2025 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted snares from the park, which had been set by bushmeat poachers
12/3/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING The team found and destroyed a logging camp in the park
26/3/2025 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted small snares from the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Central Tsavo East 49
50
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 7/3/2025
BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught setting snares in the park
16/3/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested 2 men working on a charcoal kiln
25/3/2025
BUSHMEAT POACHERS
The team arrested another 2 men caught setting snares in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui 51
52
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 2/3/2025
ILLEGAL FISHING
The Tsavo Mobile team arrested a man caught fishing in the park
12/3/2025 ELEPHANT CONFLICT The team helped the KWS move an elephant caught on the wrong side of the fenceline
30/3/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most 53
54
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MARCH 2025 REPORT
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM M A RC H 2 0 2 5 S U M M A R Y O F S E C U R I T Y I N C I D E N T S The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 4/3/2025
ONGOING PATROLS
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team continued with daily patrols, but due to an issue with their camera they were unable to take any photos during the month
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Galana Wildlife Conservancy 55
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. © 2025 The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
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