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 September 2025. During the month the Ziwani and Thabagunji teams were on annual leave whilst the Ithumba, Kajiado, Meru, Mobile South and Mtito teams worked part of the month The rest of the teams were operating fulltime.
MONTH AT A GLANCE:
Kilometres covered on patrol:
41,512
42 Arrests made:
27,678
107 Ivory recovered kg:
1,423 Snares con scated:
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES
SEPTEMBER 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
SEPTEMBER 2025
During the month, SWT/ KWS Anti-Poaching Teams lifted 1,423 snares and made 42 arrests, including the arrest of 24 offenders caught in possession of bushmeat. Other arrests made during the month include 11 rewood collectors, 3 loggers, 1 sherman, 1 charcoal burner, and 2 arrests made for illegal entry into the parks Bushmeat con scated from poachers and camps included 21kgs of meat and over 17 carcasses, including dik-diks, gerenuk and sh.
During the month, the teams destroyed 9 charcoal kilns and 2 charcoal camps 31 harbors/hides/camps used by offenders in the parks were also found and destroyed along with 5 livestock bomas
In September, the teams also discovered 8 elephant carcasses and handed over 107kg of ivory to the KWS for safekeeping They also supported an orphaned elephant rescue, re ghting operations, elephant translocations out of community areas, along with several veterinary cases.
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED
SEPTEMBER 2025
TOTAL ARRESTS MADE
SEPTEMBER 2025
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS
SEPTEMBER 2025
BURRA 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
8/9/2025
ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team recovered a pair of elephant tusks and handed them over to KWS for safekeeping
9/9/2025
ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION
An elephant found itself caught in a dangerous situation in community land and was translocated with help from the KWS/SWT Translocation Unit
22/9/2025
ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION
The team once again helped to translocated an elephant found in community lands outside of the parks
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Voi & Tsavo East
KICHWA TEMBO 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
3/9/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found a recently used boma by livestock herders and destroyed it
5/9/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team found another livestock boma and destroyed it
12/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team put out a re near a livestock boma, which had been set by herders
Days on duty: Tsavo West NP & where needed most Patrol areas:
KULALU 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
30 Days on duty:
6/9/2025 ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging and charcoal burning site in the park and destroyed it
12/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team found snares and a snared dikdik
17/9/2025 ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team discovered a fresh elephant carcass which was believed to have died from natural causes
Border of Southern Tsavo East within Kulalu & Galana Ranches Patrol areas:
DAKADIMA 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
4/9/2025 ILLEGAL CAMPSITE
The Dakadima team found a recently used replace most likely used by poachers operating in the area
30 Days on duty: Galana Ranch and where needed most Patrol areas:
MOBILE NORTH 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
2/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a number of small wire snares set by poachers on wildlife trails
10/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found a small snares set by bushmeat poachers
29/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted a selection of snares set by poachers
MOBILE SOUTH 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
18 Days on duty:
3/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Mobile South team lifted small and medium wire snares from the park
6/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares set by bushmeat poachers
15/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
More wire snares and bird traps were found and removed from the park
LAKE JIPE 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
13/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares set by bushmeat poachers in the conservation area
13/9/2025 ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured zebra
22/9/2025 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
SEPTEMBER 2025 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS
The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
6/9/2025 BROKEN IVORY
The Yatta team lifted broken pieces of ivory from the parkcaused by natural elephant ghting
17/9/2025 ELEPHANT CARCAS
The team an old elephant carcass and handed the ivory over to KWS
29/9/2025 BROKEN IVORY
The team found more ivory in the park and handed it over to KWS for safekeeping
Patrol areas:
30 Days on duty: Yatta Plateau, Tsavo East
CHYULU MOBILE 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
18/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team helped ght a bush re in the hills
25/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought another re in the park
30 Days on duty:
Chyulu Hills National Park & Kiboko Ranch Patrol areas:
MUKURURO 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
2/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Mukururo team found snares in the conservation area set by bushmeat poachers
13/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a wild re in the park
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
28/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a wild re in the park
KENZE 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
6/9/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The Kenze team lifted heavy wire snares from the park
12/8/2025
FIREFIGHTING
The Kenze team helped ght a re in the park
30 Days on duty: Kibwezi Forest Patrol areas:
SHOMPOLE 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
12/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the conservation area
26/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the conservation area
30/9/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln
30 Days on duty: Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo Patrol areas:
CHYULU 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
30 Days on duty: Chyulu Hills Patrol areas:
3/9/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit try and save a very badly injured elephant but sadly the elephant did not survive and its tusks were handed over to KWS
17/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team helped to ght a wild re in the park
27/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team fought another re
KULALU II 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
8/9/2025 ELEPHANT TRANSLOCATION
The team helped to translocate an elephant in a dangerous situation in community land
16/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 3 bushmeat poachers caught with fresh meat and poaching tools
25/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested another bushmeat poacher with fresh meat and tools
30 Days on duty: Greater Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
ITHUMBA 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
26/9/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed snares from the park
28/9/2025
LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed snares from the park
18 Days on duty: Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAJIADO 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
23/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares in the park set by bushmeat poachers
26/9/2025 CHARCOAL BURNING
The team arrested a charcoal burner found operating illegally in the park
18 Days on duty: Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke Patrol areas:
TIVA 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
30 Days on duty:
10/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted small snares set by bushmeat poachers in the park
11/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares from the park
26/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 2 bushmeat poachers caught with fresh meat and poaching tools
Northern Area of Tsavo East Patrol areas:
KAPANGANI 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
24/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended 2 motorbikes loaded with fresh bushmeat
30 Days on duty: Galana Conservation Area Patrol areas:
KWALE 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
20/9/2025 LOGGING
The team found signs of logging in the park
21/9/2025 ILLEGAL FISHING
The team arrested a sherman caught with fresh sh
30 Days on duty: Shimba Hills National Reserve Patrol areas:
SOBO 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
8/9/2025 LIFTING
SNARES
The team lifted wire snares set by bushmeat poachers to trap small wild animals
12/9/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured elephant in the park
22/9/2025 FIREFIGHTING
The team worked with the SWT Aerial Unit and other ground teams to ght a re in the park
30 Days on duty: Central Tsavo East Patrol areas:
UMBI 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
8/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team found small snares set by poachers in the park
14/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 3 bushmeat poachers found with fresh meat and poaching tools
21/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted snares from the park set by bushmeat poachers
30 Days on duty: Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui Patrol areas:
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
25/9/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSIOON
The team managed a livestock situation in the park
28/9/2025 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
18 Days on duty: Tsavo East National Park Patrol areas:
TSAVO MOBILE 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
30 Days on duty:
20/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The Tsavo Mobile team lifted huge cable snares set by poachers to trap large animals
26/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more large snares set by bushmeat poachers
30/9/2025 LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted yet more snares
Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most Patrol areas:
GALANA 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
24/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Galana Wildlife Conservancy team con scated 2 motorbikes loaded with bushmeat
26/9/2025 BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team apprehended a community member with fresh bushmeat
28/9/2025 ELEPHANT TREATMENT
The team worked with the Vet and Aerial Unit to treat an injured elephant
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
