Participants:

Nicodemus Kivindyo – team leader Samuel Odero Peter Wambua John Malonza Rajab Fundi Samuel Masaku 2 KWS Rangers

Area of operation:

During the month of December, the Burra team covered the following areas: Kajire, Ngutuni and Voi, Lualenyi, Salt Lick, Maungu ranch and Taita ranch.

43 SNARES RECOVERED

FINDINGS.

During the month of December the team lifted a total of 43 snares, 21 of which targeted large game and 22 targeting small game.

The team also came across a dead elephant calf, a dead buffalo, and a dead hartebeest, all of which had been killed by poachers. This means that poaching of large mammals in this area is rife and a problem.

Observable evidence:

The total number of snares lifted during the month of December had decreased from previous months due to the fact that most of the poachers are tending to their farms. In some areas the poachers have even gone as far as to remove their snares, proof of which is in the dead fence left behind, which used to contain the animals in designated areas.

Kajire area The team began the months desnaring activities in this area and managed to lift 7 snares all of which targeted small game. We also came across a stone trap targeting birds and small rodents.

The remains of a Dikdik were found together with the carcass of a dead cow that had been snared.

Ngutuni ranch and the Voi area The two areas were visited at the same time as the lie within the same general area.

At total of 18 snares were lifted 3 of which targeted large game and 15 targeting small game. We came across a dead buffalo that had arrow wounds. We also found the remains of a Dikdik that had been snared.

Lualenyi area A total of 10 snares were lifted in this area all of which targeted big game, some big enough to kill an elephant. A dead hartebeest was also found in the snare that killed it.

Saltlick area In this area a total of 8 snares were lifted seven of which targeted big game. A young dead elephant was found that had been snared.

An elephant bull with a swollen hind limb was spotted and reported to the KWS. The team also came across two impalas one that had a snare on its fore limb and another that had a swollen hind knee. All of this is proof that snaring is taking place and is a major problem in this area. The team, together with the game sanctuary scouts, made sure to visit all the snaring hotspots.

Community work This month no community work was carried out as all the schools are on holiday. However the team collected 40 desks that will be donation in January.

Report by Mathew Kiura