Participants:

Mathew Kiura – team leader Samuel Odero Peter Wambua John Malonza Peter Ndungu Samuel Masaku Nikodemus Kivindyo 2 KWS Rangers

Area of operation:

During the month of August, the Burra team covered the following areas: Ndii/Irima, Mbulia, Taita Ranch, Mugeno ranch, Salt lick and Lualenyi Ranch.

284 SNARES RECOVERED 3 ARRESTS

FINDINGS.

During the teams operations in the month of August a total of 284 snares were lifted.

One hundred and thirty seven of the snares targeted big game with 147 snares targeting small game. The team came across a dead buffalo and a dead giraffe while patrolling Lualeni ranch. Both of these animals had been killed by large snares. At Taita ranch we came across the carcasses of an elephant, a zebra and a giraffe all of which were killed by snares. We were able to arrest two men for illegal logging at Ndii with a third man being arrested at Mbulia ranch in possession of snares.

Observable evidence:

With the onset of the dry season, destructive activities have been on the rise in the park. The team has noticed an increase in the number of snares being set, especially in the community ranches where the movement of individuals is unrestricted. The team spent a lot of time patrolling these ranches during the months desnaring activities.

Ngutuni Most of the 34 snares lifted from this area targeted small game. We visited Ngutuni several times to ensure that more snares were not being set in our absence.

Ndii/Irima We have noticed that snaring in this area is once again on the rise. A total of 68 snares were lifted which is more than what was lifted in the same area in July. We were able to arrest two men for the offence of logging in the park.

The two individuals were booked at Voi police station and were charged with the destruction of vegetation. Illegal logging continues to be a problem in this area. We hope that the arrest of the two men will act as a deterrent to other offenders.

Mugeno Ranch Here we realized that snaring takes place in conjunction with illegal logging and charcoal burning.

This was substantiated by the fact that we came across several piles of wood and lifted 23 snares.

Mbulia group Ranch All of the snares lifted in this area targeted small game. We were able to arrest a man who was found in possession of snares.

He was booked at Voi police station and charged with unlawful hunting. Illegal logging continues to be a problem as the movement of people in the area is unrestricted.

Lualenyi/Salt Lick The level of snaring in this area is alarming with a total of 86 snares being lifted. We believe that the perpetrators are practicing shifting poaching whereby they shift from one area to another as soon as they realize that there activities have been noticed. During our patrols we came across the carcass of a dead giraffe and a dead buffalo.

We also came across bush meat on drying lines. We destroyed the meat and the lines by burning them.

Taita Ranch All 29 snares lifted in this area were found to target large game.

While patrolling we came across the carcasses of a snared zebra, giraffe and elephant. This area will now be visited more frequently in order to quell amount of snaring taking place.

Report by Mathew Kiura