Anti-Poaching
Deploying boots on the ground for the protection of elephants, rhinos and other wild species
We currently operate thirteen De-Snaring Teams in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), and fund a fourteenth team operated by Mara Elephant Project (MEP) in the Mau Forest, undertaking anti-poaching operations to protect threatened wild animals and habitats in areas of natural importance within Kenya.
Ivory and rhino horn poaching, habitat destruction and bushmeat poaching are having a devastating effect on Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces. Our skilled front line teams, accompanied by armed KWS Rangers and supported by our Aerial and Canine Units, are fully trained and equipped to deter and prevent illegal wildlife activities, as well as launch ambushes, with any necessary arrests carried out by KWS.
14
De-Snaring Teams
32,280
KMs patrolled on foot in 2018
4,100
Snares seized & removed since in 2018
344
KWS arrests with our teams in 2018
190
Weapons seized in 2018
Patrol Areas
Tsavo, Meru, Kibwezi and Mau Forest
Support our Anti-Poaching Operations
Threats Tackled by our Teams
- Elephant and rhino poaching for ivory and rhino horn.
- Snaring and bushmeat poaching for commercial trade.
- Illegal logging of forested areas and charcoal burning.
- Livestock intrusion.
Our teams face real threats to their own safety on every operation. Team members have all undergone intensive training at the KWS Manyani Training Academy to ensure they have the skills and knowledge necessary to mitigate these risks. Highly trained, armed KWS Rangers - with the power of arrest - are assigned to each of the teams on operational duty.
Twelve of our teams patrol the Greater Tsavo Conservation Area covering 60,000km2, an area the size of West Virginia, USA. Home to the country’s largest elephant herds, as well as rhinos, cheetahs, giraffes, lions and leopards. A Thirteenth Team operates in Meru National Park, in Central Kenya, which covers an area of 870km2, with the Fourteenth Team, fully funded by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, operating in the Mau Forest under the direction of MEP.
Areas we cover in Kenya
- Team Name
- Mtito
- Team Leader
- Elisha Otieno Oburu
- How many rangers?
- 5
- Area of operation
- The Triangle - Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Mtito team]()
- Team Name
- Ithumba
- Team Leader
- Benjamin Kasaine
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Northern area of Tsavo East National Park, including Ithumba Reintegration Unit
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Ithumba team]()
- Team Name
- Tiva
- Team Leader
- Nterito Kapina
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Northern area of Tsavo East National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Tiva team]()
- Team Name
- Burra
- Team Leader
- Paul Kamau
- How many rangers?
- 5
- Area of operation
- Southern sector of Tsavo East National Park and surrounding ranch lands
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Burra team]()
- Team Name
- Ziwani
- Team Leader
- Peter Muia Wambua
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Southern sector of Tsavo West National Park and surrounding ranch lands
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Ziwani team]()
- Team Name
- Chyulu
- Team Leader
- Bernard Kimani
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Chyulu Hills National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Chyulu team]()
- Team Name
- Kenze
- Team Leader
- Godwin Mutunga
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Kibwezi Forest Reserve and Chyulu Hills National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Kenze team]()
- Team Name
- Yatta
- Team Leader
- Daniel Lelekoiten
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Northern Area of Tsavo East, including the Yatta Plateau
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Yatta team]()
- Team Name
- Mobile North
- Team Leader
- Kiperus Singanga
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- This team operates where it is needed most in the Northern Area of Tsavo East National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Mobile North team]()
- Team Name
- Meru
- Team Leader
- Henry Lekochere
- How many rangers?
- 5
- Area of operation
- Meru National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Meru team]()
- Team Name
- Sobo
- Team Leader
- Paul Kyalo
- How many rangers?
- 6
- Area of operation
- Central and Western parts of Tsavo East National Park
- View Reports
- Team photo
![Sobo team]()
Each team is equipped with a modified 4x4 vehicle, camping equipment, digital radios, GPS units and cameras as well as all necessary equipment and supplies to patrol daily and spend long periods in the field. Their activities are coordinated by our 24 hour Operations Centre in Kaluku, which monitors all ground and air operations in order to ensure the safety of our personnel, identify key trends to direct future patrols and coordinate a swift and effective response to any incidents.
Photos from the field
Extensive training means each team has deep local knowledge and each ranger has graduated from the KWS law enforcement academy in Manyani, with training in mitigating human wildlife conflict, ecosystem management, field survival, weaponry use, and capture and arrest.
Read the latest Monthly Reports from our De-Snaring Teams
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