Participants

Patrick Mutuku – team leader Lemanten Labarakwe James Lodugukiyok Patrick Ekai Aden Abdi Julius Mumo 2 KWS rangers

Areas Covered

The areas patrolled this month were: Tundani, the fence-line, Kalovoto, Kyamanyenze, Umaumaa, Kungu, Umbi and the Lagga.

TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED 172

Findings

At the start of the month, the de-snarers underwent intensive training from the British Army the objectives of which were to teach the team members discipline, and new patrol techniques.

They donated equipment to us that would improve our patrols as we would be able to stay in the bush for two to three days without the use of a tent and vehicle. This will enable us to carry out better ambushes and make our presence felt.

The month was characterized by a decline in the amount of poaching taking place inside the park, as most of the poaching activities were concentrated near the fence-line. On the ninth of the month the Ithumba camp was officially opened by the Wildlife and Tourism PS – Mrs. Rebecca Nabutolla, the KWS Director and Daphne Sheldrick, among others who graced the occasion.

Our patrols this month only took place over a period of 10 days as the Rangers were needed elsewhere. At Tundani and deep in the park we have found that the poachers have set traps at the water holes and have erected shooting platforms. Unfortunately they left the site together with all their catch a day before we arrived.

During our patrols in the Umbi area we found that there is a lot of logging and snaring for big game taking place.

The timber is carried out the park using bicycles. They now also vary the time that they enter the park at the fence line as they spend the day tilling their farms and enter the park at night to check on their snares. Unfortunately with the end of the rainy season approaching the amount of poaching taking place will increase and for this reason we will have to increase our de-snaring efforts in order to put pressure on the poachers in hope of deterring them from their illegal activities. Another problem is the honey harvesting that his once again started taking place inside the park and will continue until the end of February. Next month we intend to lay more ambushes and increase the number of patrols on the Yatta Plateau and in the Umbi area.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

We held several meetings with a number of poachers this month. The Warden from the Northern area both organized and attended the meetings during which we interrogated the poachers trying to find out why they poach. We had no idea about the number of poachers we are trying to deal with and intend to hold more meetings in the future with both the poachers and the communities at large.

We started making desks that will be donated to Kavete primary school, after this we will be making desks to be donated to Mukuanima. The Windmills at Ndiandas and Kone were repaired and are now operational. The Kone community was very grateful and it is the best Christmas present we could have given them as water is a scarce commodity in this area.

Report by Patrick Mutuku Participants

Patrick Mutuku – team leader Lemanten Labarakwe James Lodugukiyok Patrick Ekai Aden Abdi Julius Mumo 2 KWS rangers

Areas Covered

The areas patrolled this month were: Tundani, the fence-line, Kalovoto, Kyamanyenze, Umaumaa, Kungu, Umbi and the Lagga.

TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED 172

Findings

At the start of the month, the de-snarers underwent intensive training from the British Army the objectives of which were to teach the team members discipline, and new patrol techniques. The donated equipment to us that would improve our patrols as we would be able to stay in the bush for two to three days without the use of a tent and vehicle. This will enable us to carry out better ambushes and make our presence felt.

The month was characterized by a decline in the amount of poaching taking place inside the park, as most of the poaching activities were concentrated near the fence-line. On the ninth of the month the Ithumba camp was officially opened by the Wildlife and Tourism PS – Mrs. Rebecca Nabutolla, the KWS Director and Daphne Sheldrick, among others who graced the occasion.

Our patrols this month only took place over a period of 10 days as the Rangers were needed elsewhere. At Tundani and deep in the park we have found that the poachers have set traps at the water holes and have erected shooting platforms. Unfortunately they left the site together with all their catch a day before we arrived.

During our patrols in the Umbi area we found that there is a lot of logging and snaring for big game taking place. The timber is carried out the park using bicycles. They now also vary the time that they enter the park at the fence line as they spend the day tilling their farms and enter the park at night to check on their snares. Unfortunately with the end of the rainy season approaching the amount of poaching taking place will increase and for this reason we will have to increase our de-snaring efforts in order to put pressure on the poachers in hope of deterring them from their illegal activities. Another problem is the honey harvesting that his once again started taking place inside the park and will continue until the end of February. Next month we intend to lay more ambushes and increase the number of patrols on the Yatta Plateau and in the Umbi area.

COMMUNITY AWARENESS

We held several meetings with a number of poachers this month. The Warden from the Northern area both organized and attended the meetings during which we interrogated the poachers trying to find out why they poach. We had no idea about the number of poachers we are trying to deal with and intend to hold more meetings in the future with both the poachers and the communities at large.

We started making desks that will be donated to Kavete primary school, after this we will be making desks to be donated to Mukuanima. The Windmills at Ndiandas and Kone were repaired and are now operational. The Kone community was very grateful and it is the best Christmas present we could have given them as water is a scarce commodity in this area.

Report by Patrick Mutuku