Participants

Alex Macharia – team leader Feisal Muteti Francis Chege Mwoni Ikutha Kathuki Makwanu James 2KWS Rangers

Areas Covered

During the month of April, the Mtito team concentrated its de-snaring efforts in the following areas: Iviani, Chyulu pump, Mangelete, the Mtito river circuit, Ngulia hills, Kenani, and Kanga station.

131 SNARES COLLECTED

10 ARRESTS

Findings

The month’s operations consisted of ambushes and patrols which were geared towards lifting snares and arresting poachers.

A total of 131 snares were retrieved and 10 people arrested. Of the snares retrieved 6 targeted large game such as buffalo, 8 targeted medium sized game such as gazelles, and 117 targeted small game, mainly Dikdik. One snare targeted birds, especially guinea fowl. Of those arrested 1 was a cattle grazer, 3 where charcoal burners who were arrested at Mangelete. 3 poachers and an individual who was arrested for housing poachers were all apprehended during our patrols at Kenani. They were all booked at Mtito police station.

Observable Evidence During the months operations the team noticed that there is a lot of cattle in the park and there is a great deal of destruction of vegetation.

Footprints were seen inside the park boundary and there was evidence of snaring taking place.

Report by Alex Macharia