Set by poachers to trap wildlife for the illegal bushmeat trade, snares are one of the most destructive threats facing Africa’s wildlife today. What was once largely subsistence hunting has ballooned into an illegal commercial-scale trade driven by demand from markets and restaurants.

Miraculously, this kudu was spared such a fate. During a targeted patrol, our SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Team found four medium-game snares — and then a fifth, tethered to a tree, with its quarry still alive. The wire had wrapped around the kudu’s horns and face, tightening with each attempt to pull free.

Every minute mattered. The team alerted Kaluku Headquarters and coordinated with pilot Roan, who was already on patrol nearby. He landed and together they approached on foot. It was a volatile situation: It was a volatile situation: The snare’s long lead gave the antelope room to thrash around, risking injury and posing a serious threat to his would-be rescuers.

With a well-placed throw, the team lassoed the kudu to the ground and quickly cut away the wire. He got to his feet and sprang back into the bush, exhausted but unharmed.

For this kudu, our team’s patrol made the difference between life and death — and because of the snares collected that day, other lives were spared, too.