Participants

Wambua Kikwatha Boniface Kivai John Malonza Santam Peter Lokitela

FINDINGS

A total of 384 snares were found and lifted. These snares comprised of both large and small. Some targetted big animals such as giraffe, buffalo, zebra. Elephants could easily lose their young in these snares or a trunk.

The section patrolled during the previous operation did not yield snares. Our observation was that the poachers may have found it difficult to get more wire to replace lost snares or may be afraid of arrest.

We found that the extent of snaring decreases towards Gazi. In addition, we found very few signs of any animals at all towards Gazi, however there is evidence of enormous snaring sometime back. This could imply that the culprits concentrated on this area a consequently eliminated most of the animals or scared them away.

There is a lot of net fishing along the Athi River. Fishermen were seen flocking to the river every morning and leaving with sacks of fish. Like the poachers, they have over fished the upper part of the river – hence moving downstream and into the Park.

Most of the poachers come from far places and are hosted by the community. Some camp near the Park but across the river. Our rangers ambushed two of their hide outs but found only remains of poached meat. Information from reliable sources had it that the poachers collect their catch very early in the morning and transport to various places in the evening. After we targetted this area, there was a decline in the bushmeat supply and the poachers were not being seen around by our informers. Presumably they had fled in fear of arrest.

As a result of the above findings, the desnaring team suggests that more operations be done along this area. Regular car patrols (not necessarily a full operation) can be done to increase the pressure. The poachers will be definitely scared when they see tyre marks and foot prints since no other vehicles use this road. This report should be viewed with the previous which describes the first half of the operation.

Report compiled by Wambua Kikwatha