CONSERVATION NEWS
Incident Report: Poacher Arrested
Date: 10/19/2024
Location: Chipako area, within Upper Lupande Game Management Area (GMA).
Suspect arrested: Shadreck Nyalenda, age 45 is a bonafide resident of Chief Mushawa.
A poaching incident was reported by one of our reliable female informers, resulting in the arrest of one suspect. Unfortunately seven other suspected poachers escaped. The arrested individual was found in possession of a muzzleloader rifle and buffalo meat, indicating illegal hunting activities. The rangers also destroyed a meat drying rack used by the suspected poachers.
Note: A Muzzleloader Rifle is a firearm commonly used for hunting.
The 4th Annual A Toast for Tusks!
Nsefu Wildlife would like to thank everyone who came out to the 4th Annual A Toast for Tusks, on Sunday, October 13th at Koi Zen Cellars.
We hope everyone had a wonderful time and we are so grateful for your belief in our mission and the amazing feedback and thank you for donating generously!
A special thanks goes out to Lisa Miller at Koi Zen Cellars Craft Winery for hosting us, and Extraordinary Grazing Table for providing the food! We'd also like to thank Susan Lasky and Francesca Sugahara for volunteering!
We would also like to thank our wonderful Team Nsefu Wildlife for their incredible work. The silent auctions were gorgeous. Thank you for wanting to help us fight extinction in Africa.
We are working hard so you, your kids, and your grandkids can see these beautiful animals in the wild. It’s their world too!
We look forward to seeing you next year!
Check out the photos and a short video from the event, provided by Hebble Productions.
Incident Report: Elephant Poached
Date: 9/14/2024
Location: Katapila - Upper Lupande Game Management Area (GMA).
On September 14, 2024, an elephant poaching occurred in Upper Lupande Game Management Area. The incident involved the illegal killing of an elephant
Details:
The poached elephant, was discovered near Mwanjabantu village with its tusk intact while other parts were removed, and was most likely killed between 1:40am and 2:00am.
Traces of poachers were found at the scene, including a knife as well as footprint tracks leading away from site. The preliminary examination indicates that the elephant was shot with a high caliber .375 rifle.
The elephant may have been poached for meat in exchange for mealie meals.
Actions Taken:
The Principal Park Rangers from the Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) and other law enforcement authorities were immediately notified of the incident. A specialized combined investigation team has been dispatched to gather evidence and conduct a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
The carcass was taken away to the DNPW for the further examinations.
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES OF POACHED ELEPHANT BELOW
Incident Report: Young Male Elephant Destroyed Two Houses
Date of Incident: 08/16/2024
Location: Salimu Village - Chitunda Village Action Group (VAG)
A sub-adult male elephant was observed causing damage to the two houses in Salimu Village - Chitunda VAG.
Prior to the incident, the elephant was seen wandering close to the village with no aggressive behavior was noted.
The elephant breached the walls of the houses, causing structural damage. The roof of one of the houses was partially collapsed while the other house's roof was completely collapsed, along with the windows and door also destroyed.
The elephant was observed using its trunk and tusks to push down walls and doors.
The elephant retreated to Msandile River after the damage was done. No further aggressive behavior has been reported following the incident and no one was injured or killed.
The Human Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Rapid Response Unit from the Department of National Parks & Wildlife (DNPW) were notified and Efforts were made to track and monitor the elephant to prevent future occurrences.
Learn more about Nsefu Wildlife's Beekeeping/BioFencing program.
6/24: Poachers Apprehended
Incident Report #1: Apprehension of Poachers in Upper Lupande Game Management Area
Area of Apprehension: Chipako
A team of wildlife rangers led by Zilewo Shawa, a Wildlife Police Officer, successfully apprehended Noah Zimba, age 45 in the red jersey and Samson Zimba, age 52. Both were illegally hunting within Upper Lupande Management Area.
The operation was conducted in response to ongoing reports of poaching activities threatening local wildlife populations, particularly endangered species.
Acting on intelligence gathered through surveillance and informants, the ranger team conducted a coordinated operation in the early hours of 04 AM. The team consisted of 5 rangers and they strategically positioned themselves in a known poaching hotspot called Chipako area within the game management area.
During this arrest, the rangers confiscated one homemade shotgun, 4 ammunitions, 6 snares and one dry rank which were destroyed by our rangers.
Incident Report #2: Another arrest of Poachers in Game Management Area
In early hours of this morning, in Chambowo Area, within the Upper Lupande Game Management Area. Nyonyo Wildlife Camp received intelligence regarding illegal poaching activities within the Game Management Area. The suspects were reportedly using snares to trap wildlife.
The Rangers at Nyonyo Wildlife Camp coordinated a response to apprehend the suspects and halt the ongoing illegal activities. A team was dispatched to conduct surveillance and intercept the poachers in action.
Upon arriving at the scene, two suspects namely Moses Banda, age 57 and his son Jackson Banda, a Juvenile have been apprehended red-handed while setting up snares. The team confiscated snares and other hunting gear as evidence. The suspects were taken into custody.
The arrested individuals are currently detained pending formal charges related to violations of wildlife conservation laws, specifically illegal hunting and use of prohibited trapping methods within a protected area.
The successful operation underscores the commitment of Rangers to enforce wildlife protection laws and preserve biodiversity in Protected Area. Further investigations are ongoing to identify any accomplices and gather additional evidence related to the case.
Note: This Arrest was made by different team of Rangers who are based at Nyonyo Wildlife Camp.