Participants:

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

Area of operation:

During the month of January, the Burra team covered the following areas: Ndii/Irima, Manyani, Tsavo River, Ngutuni/Bachuma, Taita Sisal Estate, Mugeno, Mbulia group ranch, Westerman Conservation area/Sagala ranch/Kajire and the Voi area.

78 SNARES RECOVERED

FINDINGS.

A total of 78 snares were lifted, all of which targeted small game.

The team found two snared Dikdiks at the Voi area. Apart from snaring the people are now destroying the wildlife habitats by illegal logging for firewood and charcoal. The number of snares recovered was relatively low following the heavy rains.

Observable evidence.

Following the heavy rains the number of snares found was relatively low as there is an abundance of food in the areas neighboring the park. The fields are all green and the vegetation is very thick contributing to the decline in poaching. However the continued destruction of the wildlife habitats is an ongoing issue in almost all the areas that the Burra de-snaring team patrolled, with the destruction of vegetation and charcoal burning being observed in several areas.

Charcoal burning is a threat to the wildlife habitats, especially in the non protected areas.

Manyani / Tsavo River Snares targeting small game were lifted in this area. The snares were found in close proximity to the road and we suspect that the residents of the Manyani market center were responsible for setting them. The team also came across remnant charcoal kilns.

The destruction of vegetation was observed.

Ndii / Irima There was a shift in activities in this area, from snaring to illegal logging.

The team lifted one snare which seemed to have been abandoned. Charcoal burning along the road reserve, which is a buffer zone between the park and the non protected areas, was evident. The destruction of vegetation for charcoal and firewood is propagated by the continuous need for it and its easy distribution via the vehicles traveling along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway.

Ngutuni / Bachuma area There were no poaching activities observed in this area. However illegal grazing is still an issue.

The team members tried, as much as possible, to drive the domestic animals out of the park.

Westerman conservation area / Sagala ranch / Kajire Several snares were lifted in this area but like in all the other areas that were patrolled the destruction of vegetation was the main issue.

Mbulia group ranch Snaring has reduced greatly following our frequent patrols in the area.

Taita sisal estate and Mugeno ranch Snares targeting small game were lifted in this area.

Charcoal burning is still a problem and the team came across several very fresh charcoal kilns.

Voi area The team members lifted the highest number of snares from this area.

The team came across two dead snared Dikdiks. We have been conducting surprise patrols in the area in an effort to deter the local people from poaching.

COMMUNITY WORK The team conducted several community education and extension exercises aimed at sensitizing the community about the importance of conserving their natural resources, particularly wildlife and their habitats. The schools visited by the team were Kalambe and Giba primary schools.

We also visited the Mbirikani area where we conduction a public education exercise about the importance of wildlife.

Report by Mathew Kiura