Participants:

Henry Lekochere – team leader Samuel Odero Peter Wambua Ezra Mbuthia Samuel Masaku Rajab Fundi Two KWS Rangers

Area of operation:

During the month of January, the Burra team covered the following areas: Ndii, Taita Ranch, Ngutuni Ranch, Taita-Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Mbulia Ranch.

243 SNARES RECOVERED

2 ARRESTS

FINDINGS During the months operations the team lifted a total of 243 snares, 116 of which targeted big game and 127 targeting small game.

The team managed to arrest two poachers in the Ndii area. The carcass of a Dikdik was found hanging from a snare and a buffalo carcass was found at Ngutuni ranch and a slaughtered buffalo was found at the Taita hills wildlife sanctuary. A snared goat was rescued and freed from a snare at Mbulia ranch. The team also cane across a bull elephant that had been hit by a cargo train at Ngutuni.

Observable evidence:

Tsavo East National Park has been experiencing a dry spell this past month which has been characterized by cold weather, wind and a lot of dust. The farming communities in the area are idle and are turning to poaching, as they have no crops to tend to in their farms, which has caused an increase in the amount of snaring taking place.

NDII The month’s desnaring exercises began in and around the Ndii area where 35 snares were lifted most of which targeted large game.

The team was also able to arrest two poachers operating in the area as they were setting their snares. The two culprits were booked at the Voi police station where they are awaiting sentencing.

TAITA RANCH No recent illegal activities were seen during our patrols in the ranch. However we did come across some animal carcasses which shows that poaching was taking place here in the past.

The ranch was mainly dominated by herds of cattle, some of which coming from as far away as the Garissa district. The presence of the cattle will minimize poaching in the area as the herders are afraid of their cattle becoming trapped in the snares and being injured.

NGUTUNI RANCH During our patrols at the Ngutuni ranch we lifted 16 snares all of which targeted large game. We also came across a buffalo carcass and the carcass of a bull elephant.

The elephant had been hit by a cargo train traveling through the area. By the time we arrived at the site the community people had already butchered the dead elephant for the meat.

TAITA HILLS WILDLIFE SANCTUARY The Taita Hills wildlife sanctuary has a permanent water source, which during the dry season, attracts animals from Tsavo west national park and other ranches in the areas. During our patrols we came across a buffalo carcass. The buffalo had been slaughtered by poachers and its head had been left hanging in a tree.

The team was able to lift 65 snares in the area all of which targeted large game.

MBULIA RANCH Mbulia ranch which lies on the western side of Tsavo East National Park neighboring Tsavo West National park was the last area to be patrolled by the team during the month’s operations.

127 snares were lifted during our patrols. We also came across a Dikdik dead in a snare and were able to rescue a goat from a snare saving it from a very painful death.

Report by Henry Lekochere