October marked the height of the dry season, which is always a busy period for SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams. The teams covered 43,066 km on patrol. In addition to their anti-poaching work, they also assisted in numerous field operations, including several elephant treatments and rescues.
In October, SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams lifted 1,544 snares and made 29 arrests, including the arrest of 12 suspected bushmeat poachers. Other arrests made during the month include five firewood collectors, three loggers, three charcoal burners, five herders, and one arrest made for illegal entry into the parks. Bushmeat confiscated from poachers and camps included 205kg of meat and over 17 carcasses, including dik-diks and hares.
During the month, the teams destroyed 40 charcoal kilns and seven charcoal camps. 33 harbors / hides / camps used by offenders in the parks were also found and destroyed, along with two livestock bomas.
In October, the teams also discovered nine elephant carcasses, many of which had died from natural causes, and handed over 96kg of ivory to the KWS for safekeeping. They also supported firefighting operations, pushing elephants out of community areas, along with several veterinary cases.