S H E L D R I C K
W I L D L I F E
ANTI-POACHING
T R U S T
TEAMS
OPERATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S EPTEMBER 2026
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 September 2026, covering teams on duty.
MONTH AT A GLANCE: Kilometres covered on patrol:
29,940
27,678
Arrests made:
57
Bushmeat siezed kg:
Snares confiscated:
401
1,430 1
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
ANTI-POACHING PATROL ROUTES SEPTEMBER 2026
We operate a network of 28 Anti-Poaching Teams in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), alongside our specialist Canine Unit and Drone Units. The majority of our teams are based in the greater Tsavo 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.
2
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES LOG SEPTEMBER 2026
In September, SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams lifted 1,430 snares and made 57 arrests and cautions: 23 for bushmeat poaching, 8 for illegal entry into protected areas, 7 for charcoal burning, 7 for illegal grazing, 5 for illegal logging, 3 for firewood collection, 2 for illegal miraa plantations, 1 for illegal fishing, and 1 for possession of bushmeat. Teams continued to encounter a broad range of illegal activities, highlighting the continuing pressure on protected areas from poaching and illegal resource use. During the reporting period, the teams also seized 401kg of bushmeat and 105 bushmeat carcasses, destroyed 2 charcoal camps, 26 charcoal kilns and 8 sacks of charcoal, and dismantled 2 illegal livestock bomas. They also seized 67kg of honey, recorded 136 illegally logged trees, and destroyed 43 illegal hides, harbours and camps. In September, the teams also discovered 5 elephant carcasses and recovered 85.9kg of ivory, comprising 11 tusks and 5 additional ivory pieces. They continued to support wider conservation operations, including human-wildlife conflict response, veterinary interventions and wildlife rescues.
3
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
SNARES COLLECTED SEPTEMBER 2026
ARRESTS MADE SEPTEMBER 2026
4
INDIVIDUAL TEAM REPORTS SEPTEMBER 2026
5
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
BURRA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 3/9/2026
FIREFIGHTING
The team helped the local services fight a bushfire in the park
13/9/2026
IVORY RECOVERY
The team found elephant ivory in the park ad handed it over to KWS
21/9/2026
ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the KWS/SWT Vet Unit treat an injured zebra
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Voi & Tsavo East 6
7
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
KICHWA TEMBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 2/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team confiscated fresh bushmeat and poaching tools from a camp in the park
12/9/2026 FIREFIGHTING The team fought a bushfire in the park with local authorities
26/9/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Tsavo West NP & where needed most 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
KULALU ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 15/9/2026
BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested 4 bushmeat poachers apprehended with bushmeat and snares
16/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team found and destroyed a poaching camp in the park
24/9/2026
BUSHMEAT POACHING
The team arrested another poacher caught with bushmeat and tools
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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
DAKADIMA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/9/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION The team found and evicted livestock from the park
16/9/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln
19/9/2026 LIVESTOCK INTRUSION The team found and evicted livestock from 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
MOBILE NORTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
2/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed snares set by poachers in the park
4/9/2026 SNARE TRAPS The team removed more snares and makeshift traps from the park
28/9/2026 SNARE TRAPS The team found more makeshift traps to catch birds
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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
MOBILE SOUTH ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 11/9/2026
BUSHMEAT POACHING
The Mobile South team confiscated fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
24/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested a logger cutting trees in the park
29/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed wire snares set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Fully Mobile in Southern Tsavo Conservation Area 16
17
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
LAKE JIPE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 6/9/2026 FIREFIGHTING The team helped fight bushfires raging in the area during the drought
27/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team arrested 3 poachers with a large consignment of bushmeat
28/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team arrested another 4 poacher caught poaching for bushmeat in the park
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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
YATTA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 19/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found wires snares set by poachers in the park
23/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found more snares
26/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares set to ensnare wild animals
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
KARI Ranch and where needed most 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
CHYULU MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 5/9/2026 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted a large number of wire snares set by poachers in the park and found and destroyed a large cage trap
20/9/2026
GIRAFFE TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured giraffe
29/9/2026
VET TREATMENT
The team supported the Vet Unit again on another treatment on a hartebeest
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills National Park & KARI 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
MUKURURO ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 22/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found signs on logging in the park
26/9/2026
FIREFIGHTING
The team fought a bushfire caused by the dry season
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills 24
25
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
KENZE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 7/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found snares and dikdik carcases
15/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site in the park
27/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed more snares set by poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Kibwezi Forest 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
SHOMPOLE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the park
16/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a heavily used logging site in the park
26/9/2026
ZEBRA TREATMENT
The team helped the Vet Unit treat an injured zebra
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Shompole & Mobile in Tsavo 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
CHYULU ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/9/2026 MIRAA HARVESTING The team arrested 2 miraa harvesters in the park
24/9/2026 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted large snares set by poachers
26/9/2026 FIREFIGHTING The team fought fires night and day during this dry season
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Chyulu Hills 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
KULALU II ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 11/9/2026 ELEPHANT CARCASS The team removed tusks from an elephant carcass and handed them to KWS
13/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team confiscated a motorbike loaded with fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
25/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team arrested 2 men caught with dried bushmeat
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Greater Galana Conservation Area 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
ITHUMBA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 22/9/2026
ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an elephant carcass and removed the tusks to be handed over to KWS
25/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted wire snares set by poachers
30/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed more snares from the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Northern Area of Tsavo East 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
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
KAJIADO ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed wire snares from the park
23/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested 2 loggers found operating in the park
26/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team found a logging site
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Kajiado & Arabuko Sokoke 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
SE[SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
MERU ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
21/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted large snares from the park
22/9/2026
ELEPHANT CARCASS
The team found an elephant carcass and handed the tusks over to KWS for safekeeping
27/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team lifted more snares
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Meru National Park 38
39
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
TIVA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month
4/9/2026
ILLEGAL CAMP
The team found a recently used fireplace and camp in the park
27/9/2026
ELEPHANT RESCUE
The team rescued an elephant trapped in a muddy watering hole
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Northern Area of Tsavo East 40
41
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
KAPANGANI ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/9/2026 CATTLE INTRUSION The team evicted cattle found grazing in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Galana Conservation Area 42
43
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
KWALE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 6/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested 3 men caught logging in the park
21/9/2026
ILLEGAL FISHING
The team arrested a man caught fishing in the park
26/9/2026
ILLEGAL LOGGING
The team arrested another logger in the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Shimba Hills National Reserve 44
45
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
SOBO ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 11/9/2026 ILLEGAL LOGGING The team found a logging site in the park
18/9/2026 CHARCOAL BURNING The team found and destroyed a charcoal kiln
25/9/2026 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted wire snares set by bushmeat poachers
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Central Tsavo East 46
47
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
UMBI ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 6/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed small snares set by bushmeat poachers
11/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team removed more wire snares
25/9/2026
LIFTING SNARES
The team found and removed more snares
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Ithumba, Umbi, Mukomwe & South Kitui 48
49
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
MTITO ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 9/9/2026
LIVESTOCK INCURSION
The team is still working in the Lamu District. This month they worked part of the month and evicted livestock from the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Lamu Conservation Area 50
51
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
TSAVO MOBILE ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 2/9/2026 LIFTING SNARES The team lifted snares set by bushmeat poachers
11/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team confiscated fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
13
Mobile in Tsavo East National Park and where needed most 52
53
S W T/ K W S A N T I - P O A C H I N G T E A M S
SEPTEMBER 2026 REPORT
GALANA ANTI-POACHING TEAM SEPTEMBER 2026 SUMMARY OF SECURITY INCIDENTS The following cases are just a few of the incidents attended to by this team during the month 15/9/2026 BUSHMEAT POACHING The team arrested 4 men caught with fresh bushmeat and poaching tools
19/9/2026
LIVESTOCK INTRUSION
The team evicted livestock from the park
Days on duty:
Patrol areas:
30
Galana Wildlife Conservancy 54
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
55