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 January, the Burra team covered the following areas: Saltlick area, Lualenyi ranch, Ndii/Irima, Sagala ranch, Maungu & Kasingau ranch.

85 SNARES RECOVERED

1 ARREST

FINDINGS.

During the month of January the team lifted a total of 85 snares, 32 of which targeted large game and 53 targeting small game.

The team managed to arrest a poacher at Lualenyi ranch who was in possession of 29 kilos of bush meat. The team also came across the carcasses of a buffalo and a giraffe both of which had been killed by snares. This was proven by the fact that both animals had deep cuts around their necks.

Observable evidence:

Some of the ranches visited during the course of the month had not received an adequate amount of rainfall over the past two months. The team noticed that the communities in these areas have started setting snares and are engaging in the commercial sale of bush meat. Evidence of this is the fresh snares found at Saltlick and Lualenyi ranches as well as the arrest of a poacher at Lualenyi ranch.

Saltlick Ranch This area and its environs received very little rainfall over the past couple of months. As a result the communities adjacent to the ranch have started settings snares. All 25 of the snares lifted, which targeted both small and large animals, are an indication that poaching is once again on the increase.

Ndii/Irima The vegetation in this area is thick which causes some difficulties during our operations. However the team was able to lift 10 snares all of which targeted small game.

The team also noticed that charcoal burning and logging are on the increase which means we need to intensify our foot patrols in the area in order to curb this vice.

Lualenyi Ranch This ranch which borders Saltlick also received low amounts of rainfall over the past few months. The team arrested a poacher in possession of 11 kilos of bush meat from Dikdiks and 18 kilos of bush meat from warthogs.

The poacher was booked at the Voi Police Station. The team also came across the carcasses of a giraffe and a buffalo both of which had died as a result of snaring. We were able to lift 5 large snares.

Sagala Ranch This area received a large amount of rainfall and for this reason we expected the community bordering the park to be busy harvesting. However, the team lifted 41 snares during our patrols, twenty two targeting large game and 19 targeting small game. Charcoal burning and illegal logging is also taking place. The ranch however still has enough vegetation to be able to support the wildlife found in the area.

Kasigau & Maungu Ranch A total of four big snares were lifted from both areas and logging was noticed to be taking place.

The team will visit Kasigau for a longer period of time next month as we learnt that the community scouts that used to carry out desnaring in the area have had to stop due to a lack of funds.

Community work The team donated 40 quality desks to Gimba primary school.

The school community welcomed the gesture and thanked the Trust for its continuous support.

Report by Nicodemus Kivindyo