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 May 2025. During the month the Dakadima and Mobile North teams were on annual leave whilst the Chyulu, Chyulu Mobile, Kulalu II, Meru, Shompole, Sobo, Umbi, Jipe and Galana WC teams worked part of the month. The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
37,709
40 Arrests made:
27,678
37 Charcoal kilns destroyed:
778 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
MAY 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
MAY
2025
During the month the KWS/SWT De-Snaring Units lifted 778 snares and made 40 arrests including 8 arrests for poaching activities . Other arrests made during the month included 5 charcoal burners, 5 livestock herders, 7 loggers, 7 miraa harvesters, and 7 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps totaled over 450kg including mostly hippo meat and dikdik.
During the month, the teams destroyed 37 charcoal kilns, 3 charcoal camps, including 13 charcoal sacks, along with 23 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks and 23 livestock bomas.
In May the teams also discovered 5 elephant carcasses and handed over 456kg of ivory to the KWS.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
MAY 2025
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
MAY 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
MAY 2025
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning site in the park and destroyed it
21/5/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a large herd of livestock found illegally grazing in the park
25/5/2025 ILLEGAL MINING
The team found a mining site in the park
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
13/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
23/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal and logging site
25/5/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 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:
13/5/2025 CHARCOAL CAMP
The team found a charcoal camp and active kiln, and destroyed it
19/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found an active bushmeat poaching camp with fresh bushmeat. The poachers escaped apprehension
27/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found another active bushmeat poaching camp and destroyed it
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/5/2025
CHARCOAL CAMP
The Mobile South team found an active camp in the park and destroyed it
9/5/2025
HIDE
The team found a small hide in the side of the rock and a makeshift ladder, most likely where a poacher had been hiding
27/5/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found medium wire snares set by poachers in the park
Days on duty: Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area Patrol areas:
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal kiln and destroyed it
26/5/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a herd of livestock found grazing in the park
28/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found a bushmeat poachers equipment left in the park and followed tracks
18 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025
SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/5/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The Yatta team found an elephant carcass with its tusks intact and handed them over to KWS
22/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a charcoal burner in his camp in the park
28/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The Yatta team arrested a bushmeat poacher caught with weapons and bushmeat
Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East Patrol areas:
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
24/5/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested 3 men caught harvesting miraa in the park
26/5/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team arrested a man found harvesting miraa in the park
28/5/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found a cannabis plantation in the park and destroyed it
18 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 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
5/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a live charcoal kiln
11/5/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a larger herd of livestock found be illegally grazed in the park
17/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team destroyed a charcoal kiln
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/5/2025
CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal burning and logging site in the park
14/5/2025
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found more signs of illegal logging
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/5/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The Mukururo team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation found in the park
16/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Mukururo team arrested a man in the park most likely logging
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
17/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested another man found logging in the park at night
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The Kenze team arrested a man caught logging in the park
20/5/2025 MIRAA HARVESTING
The team apprehended a group of people found harvesting miraa
27/5/2025 CANNABIS PLANTATION
The team found and destroyed a cannabis plantation found in the park
Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/5/2025 GIRAFFE TREATMENT
The team helped the SWT/KWS Vet Unit treat a snared giraffe
20/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught with fresh bushmeat
26/5/2025 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
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
22/5/2025 MIRAA HARVESTERS
The team arrested 2 miraa harvesters in the park
28/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares set by bushmeat poachers
30/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs of illegal logging in the park
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHER
The team arrested a man caught with bushmeat camping in the park
24/5/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass believed to have died from natural causes and removed its tusks to handover to KWS
28/5/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found another carcass of a young elephant calf, believed to have died from natural causes
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed medium and large snares from the park
15/5/2025 ILLEGAL LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to nd and evict livestock from the park
30/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares in the park
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and arrested a logger
11/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found more logging and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
25/5/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found another logging site
Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
18/5/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of large snares from the park
19/5/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
27/5/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty: Meru National Park Patrol areas:
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
4/5/2025 HUMAN ELEPHANT CONFLICT
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit to remove elephants from community lands and back into the safety of the park
5/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found several small snares in the park
30 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active charcoal kiln
10/5/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evited a large herd of livestock being grazed illegally in the park
23/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team con scated a bicycle and snares abandoned by a poacher in the park
Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
10/5/2025 LOGGING
The team apprehended community members found logging in the park
23/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a man with fresh bushmeat moving through the park
28/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed large snares set by poachers in the park
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
25/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted medium and large snares from the park, which were set by poachers to trap wildlife
28/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found more large snares set by bushmeat poachers
18 Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
23/5/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park and found dikdik carcasses, which had died in the snares
25/5/2025 TRESSPASSING
The team con scated a bike, which had been abandoned by an offender operating in the park
18 Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/5/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
21/5/2025 ELEPHANT
CARCASS
The team found an elephant carcass, which is believed to have died from natural causes. It's tusks were removed and handed to KWS for safekeeping
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The Tsavo Mobile team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
16/5/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team destroyed another kiln
29/5/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
30 Days on duty: Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
MAY 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/5/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with 2 motorbikes loaded with fresh bushmeat
18 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
