BURRA TEAM

De – Snaring Report for June 2007

Participants:

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

Area of operation:

During the month of June, the Burra team covered the following areas: Ngutuni/Maungu, Ndara/Sagala Ranch, Ndii/Irima, Kajire area, Lualeyni/Mgeno ranches and Westermann’s conservation area.

58 SNARES RECOVERED

FINDINGS.

During the months operations the Burra Team lifted a total of 58 snares, out of which 14 were targeting big game and 44 targeting small game. One poacher in possession of a dead Dikdik and snares was arrested. The team discovered a lot of illegal logging and charcoal burning activities in Mgeno.

Observable evidence:

Ngutuni/Maungu Snaring in this area has reduced greatly. The team found no snares in the area. However, illegal grazing activities in the park are still taking place.

The team patrolled the area to ensure that grazing in the park was put to a stop. Another major problem in the Ngutuni area is charcoal burning. The team found a dead buffalo that had been killed by lions.

Ndii/Irima The snaring and illegal grazing has gone down tremendously in this area; we lifted no snares and saw no sings of any illegal activities.

Ndara/Sagala Ranch Several snares were lifted in these areas, mainly targeting small game. There was also a lot of charcoal burning and illegal logging.

Lualeyni/Mgeno All of the 14 big snares collected in the month of June came from this area.

The main target of these big snares was buffalo. At Mgeno we found evidence of a lot of illegal logging and charcoal burning. Environmental degradation in these areas is becoming severe, with loss of natural habitat being one of the major problems. Destruction of natural habitat is causing the wildlife in the area to become vulnerable and hence leads to loss of biodiversity. The team concentrated a lot of their operations in these areas to reduce the threat on the environment and discourage logging and charcoal burning. Kajire The team lifted several snares targeting small game in this area. One poacher was arrested, had in his possession a dead Dikdik and several snares. The poacher was booked at Voi Police Station. During patrols the team came across a snare with Dikdik fur. Charcoal burning and logging activities are also taking place in this area.

Westermann’s conservation area Several small game snares were lifted in this area.

The team came across the dead body of a snared Black Backed Jackal.

Report by Mathew Kiura