Participants

Henry Lekochere – team leader Boru Okicha John Mungai Adan Abdi Gerald Maghanga 2 KWS Rangers

Area Covered

During the course of the month we carried out patrols at: Ziwani, Muhoho farm, Kishushe ranch, Oza ranch, Maktau and the Lumo Wildlife Sanctuary.

TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED 27

ARRESTS 3

Findings

We were able to collect a total of 27 snares during out patrols, 16 of the snares targeted large game with 11 targeting medium sized game.

During the course of the month we carried out patrols in the Ziwani area and the Muhoho farm park boundary were a total of 16 snares, all of which targeted large game were lifted. While patrolling the Ziwani area we noticed another problem, that of cattle grazing. The Maasai are once again bringing thousands of head of cattle into the park to graze.

The Maasai have also erected bomas in the park. We destroyed the bomas and arrested 3 herdsmen.

During our patrols at the Kishushe and Oza ranches we were able to lift 11 medium sized snares.

We also noticed that charcoal burning is taking place. We have found that the ranches are mainly used by cattle herders who due to the drought have moved into the area. We find that their presence in the ranches is actually a positive one as they lift the snares as they do not want their cattle to become trapped in them.

At Maktau the Ziwani team together with the KWS Security sections was kept busy battling a bush fire which had destroyed over 1000 hectares of land as it headed towards Lake Jipe.

Due to strong winds it took us 3 days to put out the fire that raged over the dry savannah in the area. Thankfully we were able to arrest the two individuals responsible for setting the fire.

Towards the end of the month’s operations we visited the Lumo Wildlife Sanctuary where no illegal activities were noticed. We however did come across a six year old elephant calf that was found to be limping. We notified the vet who came and with the team’s assistance examined the elephant and found that the calf’s front right foreleg was swollen.

He was not able to establish the cause of the swelling as there were no noticeable injuries to the leg.

Report by Henry Lekochere