Participants:

James Mbuthia – team leader Julius Kyalo David Wambua Isaiah Ndei Daniel Lekoiten

Area of operation:

During the month of January the Chyulu team patrolled the following areas: Mukurulo, K.A.R.I pump area, Tsavo West (Mangelete, Kilaguni and Nthongoni) and the Kikunduku area of Chyulu Park.

ARRESTS 7 SNARES 36

FINDINGS

The operation was divided into 4 phases. The first phase involved an active engagement of the team in areas around Mukurulo and its environs. No snares were found during patrols around KARI; however 1 charcoal burner was arrested.

Snaring A joint operation was carried out which involved the Mtito and Chyulu teams. The objective of the operation was to try and track a notorious bush meat poacher who was operation in Tsavo West. Both teams camped at Mangelete so as to patrol the river stretch where several main penetration points are located. The teams worked both day and night for a week, in an effort to hinder the poacher and hopefully arrest him. During the course of the week we came across a snaring hotspot where we lifted 36 snares all of which targeted small game. Unfortunately no arrests were made.

Utu operation The third phase of our operations took place in the Chyulu park area especially around Utu.

The area is a well know for charcoal burning, wood carving and poaching, as well as other vices. During the course of our patrols 6 people were arrested, 2 Miraa harvesters and 4 wood carvers. We intensified our operations in the area in the hope of arresting more culprits. Due to the rains the animals have migrated to the nearby ranches and for that reason there was little presence of game in the area.

Bang plantation While based at Utu we patrolled the Kikunduku are and came across a ¼ acre Bhang plantation in the park.

We kept vigil in the area for a day and then destroyed the plantation. Bhang fields are a common vice in the park as it has a high commercial value.

The final phase took place at Kibwezi forest. The penetration points most used by the charcoal burners were found and no signs of recent use were seen. We concluded our operations after 2 days during which no snares were lifted or arrests made.

Report by James Mbuthia