Mara Elephant Project rangers in the second quarter mitigated 160 human-elephant conflict (HEC) cases across the Mara, which is double the number compared to the first quarter. Although each incident was unique and needed different approaches, the MEP rangers effectively deployed their tools to safely mitigate each one. In April, the ‘Foxtrot’ ranger team deployed their drone to mitigate four incidents in the fenced-in areas of Olemoncho, Oloosokon, and Oloingaborri.
MEP rangers also responded to a large bull elephant – Individual #59 – who, undeterred by an electric fence, was heading toward a home with people and livestock. Deploying their drone and coordinating efforts on the ground, they guided him back to safety. In almost every incident in the second quarter, a drone was deployed as the main mitigation tool.
Drones were also deployed for monitoring herd movements, and one of our new advanced thermal drones allowed us to accomplish this at night. The rangers had a first while on their night drone patrol along the Mara River in May. The “Delta” ranger team witnessed a herd of elephants attempting to cross the swollen Mara River with a young calf in tow. They monitored the herd during the crossing to ensure they made it safely.
Drones also assisted MEP rangers with surveillance. In May, the MEP “Bravo” ranger team identified and destroyed three kilns inside the Loita Forest thanks to their drone surveillance.
The MEP/Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) Mau De-Snaring Unit has been conducting joint patrols with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS) to focus on combating bushmeat poaching inside the Mau Forest. In April, the team arrested bushmeat poachers with 15 kg (33 lbs.) of bushmeat believed to be a bushbuck. Arrests and seizures like these deter others from pursuing bushmeat to increase protection for the wildlife that call this forest home.In just 6 weeks between April and May, these joint patrols resulted in the removal of 102 snares from the forest.
MEP rangers assisted the KWS/SWT mobile vet unit with eight elephant treatments in the second quarter, including Individual #58 in April, who had four arrow wounds requiring urgent care; his prognosis is positive.
During a routine patrol in April, Pardamat Conservancy and MEP rangers monitored an injured sub-adult bull elephant limping. They responded immediately and found he had an arrow wound on his leg, which was causing his limp. The KWS Vet Dr. Njoroge from the SWT Mobile Vet Unit was dispatched to the scene. Using the MEP helicopter, he darted the young bull and successfully treated his wound. MEP and Pardamat Conservancy rangers continue to monitor him as he heals.
Overall this quarter, MEP rangers, alongside government partners, arrested 26 suspects engaged in habitat destruction activities, and seven bushmeat poaching suspects. They confiscated 120 kg (265 lbs.) of bushmeat and removed 393 snares. They also arrested 1 suspect in possession of 3.5 kg (7.7 lbs.) of ivory.
