Period of operation from 6th to 14th February.

Participants Wambua Kikwatha James Mbuthia John Malonza - tracker Simon Kisangau – camp Francis Mwangi Lemelku

Findings This operation was carried out concurrently with another operation by ‘Youth for Conservation’ from Nairobi. The YFC group concentrated on the area from Tsavo Railway Station down to Voi while our group focused on the area from Mtito town/ Railway Station to Tsavo River. The YFC group lifted 140 snares during their operation.

At the end of the YFC operation, we made a courtesy call on three primary schools bordering the Tsavo National Park, along the Mtito River. We talked to the teachers and pupils about how they can live in harmony with wildlife. We challenged them to be the torch bearers for the communities’ future by championing conservation ideals amongst their people.

The following chart is a breakdown of our findings. Areas Patrolled No of snares Chinese construction camp …………………………..87 Along Tsavo River…………………………………….nil Patterson’s Camp………………………………………nil Kyulu Railway station …………………………………25 Kenani “ “ …………………………………..5 Kanga “ “ ………………………………….nil Mtito “ “ …………………………………..43 TOTAL 160

Community Project

After the procurement of video show gadgets, we managed to show wildlife films to primary schools and the community bordering the Park. The films are translated into kiswahili for the majority to understand. This was done after the desnaring operation. As part of our strategy we mobilized Youths from three villages namely Kamunyu, Kyusyani, and Ngiluni who formed games clubs. This gives us another group to focus our attention on. (conservation enlightenment). So far we have two strong clubs. The only drawback they have is lack of sporting facilities. We believe that this move will give the large idle youth some identity and a way of spending leisure time instead of engaging in awful practices including poaching.

The Wildlife Clubs we started in the schools are progressing well.

Report compiled by Wambua Kikwatha and James Mbuthia