Participants: Nicodemus Kivindyo-Team Leader John Mungai Adan Abdi Boru Okichi Joshua Muthoka

Areas covered

During the month of August the Ziwani Team conducted its de-snaring activities at the following areas: the Taita wildlife sanctuary, Oza ranch and Kishushe ranch.

262 SNARES COLLECTED

1 ARREST

Findings

During the months operations the team lifted a total of two hundred and sixty two snares all of which targeted large game. The team also came across several carcasses one of a buffalo, one of a Giraffe, one of a zebra and one of an Eland. All the animals had been killed by poachers.

The team also came across the carcasses of two buffaloes, a heartbeast,and one zebra which were victims of the prevailing drought.

We were able to arrest a poacher on his way to the park. The poacher was handed over to KWS for booking.

We also came across an elephant that had become stuck in the mud at Mkuru dam which is on Kishushe ranch. The elephant was extremely emaciated and unable to stand on its own. Sadly the elephant had to be euthanized and the tusks removed by KWS.

Observable Evidence

The month of August has seen an increase in the number of snares being lifted by the team. This is especially true of the number of large snares being found at the Taita wildlife sanctuary which shows that poaching for commercial reasons is on the rise. Further evidence of this is the number of carcasses of large animals that were found snared by the team.

The team was also able to save several animals, namely 4 hartebeest and 2 impalas, which had become stuck in the mud in the Sanctuary’s drying water dam. There is a need for continuous patrols in the sanctuary in order to curb the threat of poaching of the large game that has migrated to area in search of vegetation and water.

Taita wildlife sanctuary

This area is a home to many animal species and is a vital water source for the wildlife in the area. Many animals visit the sanctuary in order to quench their thirst with the majority coming from the areas between Maktau, and the lake Jipe area. As the Sanctuary lies outside the park boundaries it is very vulnerable to poachers. One of the dams in the sanctuary has dried up due primarily to the ongoing drought but also to the increase in the number of animals coming to drink from the dams. The team continually monitor the dams in order to rescue any animals that may become stuck in the mud around the receding dams.

During our operations in the area the team lifted a total of one 174 snares, all of which targeted large game, and rescued 6 animals which had become stuck in the mud.

We also came across the carcasses of a buffalo, a giraffe, a zebra and an eland all of which had been poached as well as the carcasses of two buffalos and a zebra who were victims of the current drought. We also assisted the vet treat a wounded bull elephant. Oza ranch and Kishushe ranch Both these areas lie in under the southern part of Tsavo West National park and are an important migratory corridor from Tsavo East to Tsavo West. The influx of animals into these areas have been noticed by the surrounding communities who are taking advantage of the increase in wildlife and are setting snares in an effort to trap the animals migrating into the ranches.

During our patrols we lifted a total of eighty eight snares all of which were new and targeted large game. An elephant was found stuck in the mud at Mkuru dam.

The team was informed about the situation and together with KWS rangers from Tsavo west tried to free the elephant. Sadly the elephant was too weak and was unable to get back to its feet. It was euthanized and the tusks retrieved by KWS. Community work This month the team organised two environmental awareness video shows and a conservation lecture at Godoma near the Burra forest. The video shows and lectures targeted the youth in the area that have been found to be responsible for degrading a nearby water catchment area. Maktau secondary school was the second one to benefit from the conservation initiative the aim of which was to change the youth and community members’ perception of the forest and get them to see that it is not an area for animals to hide but an important water tower for the present and future generations. Report by Nicodemus Kivindyo