Participants

Alex Macharia – team leader Francis Chege Semeli Lolchuraki Nteritu Kapina James Nuymu Vincent Mutua 3KWS Rangers

Areas Covered

During the course of the month of December the following areas were patrolled by the Mtito de-snaring team: Mtito River, Tsavo River, Chullu gate, Finch Huttons, Mangerete and the Tsavo triangle.

43 SNARES COLLECTED

Findings

Even though it is the rainy season the poaching levels have not declined and instead have remained at the same level. We lifted 36 snares at Mangerete and 7 large snares around Finch Huttons

which is an area frequented by poachers, evidence of this was the numerous platforms and look out spots found in the trees. The platforms are used to shoot elephants and other wildlife. It was therefore not a surprise that we collected the tusks of an elephant during our patrols in the area. We also came across the remains of other animals. A poacher’s platform was found along an elephant track and was positioned in such a way so as to enable the poachers to shoot at the elephant without endangering themselves. We retrieved 9 arrow heads, 2 knives and seven big snares from this platform. Unfortunately this area is not often visited as there is a very limited road network and is full of dense thickets. The terrain and inaccessibility also prevents the poachers from setting snares. The area adjacent to Finch Huttons is inhabited by the Masaai community and cases of Chagga people entering the area from Tanzania have been reported with some individuals having been arrested in possession of game meat.

We spent 14 days patrolling the area around Finch Huttons and in the future will visit the area frequently in order to try and control the level of poaching taking place in the area.

Report by Alex Macharia