Patrick Mutuku Henry Lekochere John Mungai Julius Mutamu Gerald Maghanga 2 KWS rangers
The areas patrolled this month were Umani Springs, the Kenze and Kinzili hills, Mukululo, Kari Farm, Kaunguni and Kiboko
TOTAL SNARES COLLECTED 509
Most of the snares that we lifted this month targeted large game. The reason for this being that due to the continued poaching of small game there is very little of the small game left. A total of 509 snares were lifted and 22 arrests made.
When patrolling Kari farm we were saddened to discover that the farms employees are not only setting snares but are also co-operating with the poachers in order to catch, snare and kill animals using the lamping method. This is very distressing as Kari farm has a water source whith the wildlife visit, which makes the wildlife an easy target for the poachers. The rate at which the Chyulu ecosystem is being destroyed is very upsetting. Initially the ecosystems balance was jeopardized by volcanic activity and the ever increasing presence of humans in the area. Once the humans were evicted in 1997 the Chyulu region started to show some signs of recovery. This recovery has not lasted long due to wood carving and charcoal burning which is depleting the trees in the area.
Report by Patrick Mutuku