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 October 2025. During the month the Kenze and Mukururo teams were on annual leave whilst the Tsavo Mobile, Bura, Yatta, Kapangani, Kichwa Tembo, Kulalu, Kwale and Tiva teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
43,066
29 Arrests made:
27,678
96 Ivory recovered kg:
1,544 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
OCTOBER
2025
We currently operate 29 Anti-Poaching Teams with the KWS throughout Kenya. 23 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 two teams based in the Mau Forest, an important water catchment area in the Rift Valley. We have 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
OCTOBER 2025
During the month, SWT/ KWS Anti-Poaching Teams lifted 1,544 snares and made 29 arrests, including the arrest of 12 suspected bushmeat poachers. Other arrests made during the month include 5 rewood collectors, 3 loggers, 3 charcoal burners, 5 herders and and 1 arrest made for illegal entry into the parks. Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps included 205kgs of meat and over 17 carcasses, including dik-diks and hares.
During the month, the teams destroyed 40 charcoal kilns and 7 charcoal camps 33 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks were also found and destroyed along with 2 livestock bomas
In October, the teams also discovered 9 elephant carcasses, many of which had died from natural causes, and handed over 96kg of ivory to the KWS for safekeeping They also supported re ghting operations, pushing elephants out of community areas, along with several veterinary cases.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
OCTOBER 2025
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
OCTOBER 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
OCTOBER 2025
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares set by bushmeat poachers from the conservation area
25/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln in the park
28/10/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team treated an elephant and her calf, which had an injury
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
18
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
26/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found a charcoal kiln in the park and destroyed it
28/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found another kiln with bags of charcoal ready for the market
18 Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
29/10/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park and destroyed it
Days on duty:
18
Patrol areas:
Border of Southern Tsavo East within
Kulalu & Galana
Ranches
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The Dakadima team found a kiln with sacks of charcoal ready for market
16/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 3 men with snares and fresh bushmeat in the park
24/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Dakadima team arrested 2 men with fresh bushmeat and snares
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
on
2/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a number of small wire snares set by poachers on wildlife trails
5/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a small snares set by bushmeat poachers
16/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a selection of snares set by poachers
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
22/10/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team lifted small and medium wire snares from the park
28/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
29/10/2025
LIFTING SNARES
More wire snares and bird traps were found and removed from the park
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team con scated a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat
14/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares set by bushmeat poachers from the conservation area
30/10/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted a herd of livestock found grazing in the park
30 Days on duty: Lake Jipe & where needed most Patrol areas:
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
27/10/2025 DAILY PATROLS
The Yatta team worked part of the month and didn't come across any illegal activities during the days worked
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East
18
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/10/2025 ELEPHANT SKULL
The team found an old elephant carcass in the park
20/10/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a bush re in the park
25/10/2025 ORPHAN RESCUE
The team rescued a small buck from a snare and released it
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
ZIWANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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
4/10/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and removed the tusks to handover to KWS for safekeeping
6/10/2025 CHARCOAL KILN
The team found a charcoal kiln and arrested 2 charcoal burners
31/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park
THABANGUNJI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
12/9/2025 ILLEGAL LIVESTOCK
The team found livestock being grazed in the park and pushed the herds out
19/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed large snares set by poachers in the park
27/10/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a bush re in the park
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed an active kiln in the park
10/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the conservation area
27/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found more large snares set by poachers in the park
30 Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
9/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted old snares from the conservation area
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Chyulu Hills
15/10/2025 LOGGING
The team arrested 2 loggers found operating in the park
29/10/2025 LOGGING
The team found another illegal logging site
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/10/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
25/10/2025 ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team helped rescue an elephant trapped in a muddy well The elephant was successfully freed
26/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers with fresh meat and tools
Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed snares from the park
10/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man in the park caught with fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
23/10/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team discovered an elephant carcass and removed the tusks to handover to KWS
Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
11/10/2025 LOGGING
The team found a logging site and arrested a logger
19/10/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit remove a snare from a young elephant
21/10/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a charcoal burner found operating illegally in the park
30 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
8/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a number of large snares from the park
21/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POAHCING
The team caught 2 men in possession of bushmeat
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Meru National Park
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
20/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
27/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the park along with bird traps
29/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set along wildlife paths
18 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
3/10/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
21/10/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team pushed large herds of livestock out of the park
28/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a motorbike with fresh bushmeat and a bushmeat poacher
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 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:
24/10/2025 LOGGING
The team found signs of logging in the park
25/10/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a wild re in the park
26/10/2025 LOGGING
The team arrested a logger
Shimba Hills National Reserve Patrol areas:
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/10/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and removed the ivory to handover to KWS
7/10/2025 ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured zebra in the park
14/10/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found a fresh elephant carcass and handed the ivory over to KWS
Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
7/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers in the park
15/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares and found a dead dikdik trapped in one - too late to be saved
25/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers and found makeshift traps
Patrol areas:
Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM
SEPTEMBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
15/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team removed snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
20/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested a man caught with fresh bushmeat
21/10/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team lifted snares set by poachers to trap large animals
28/10/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Tsavo Vet Unit treat an injured elephant
30/10/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares
18 Days on duty: Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM
OCTOBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
16/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team arrested 3 men caught with snares and bushmeat in the park
24/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended 2 men with a motorbike and fresh bushmeat
28/10/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested another man with a motorbike and fresh bushmeat
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
