Support WildlifeDirect:
buy branded merchandise

The Return of Snares in the Mara Triangle

Category: Hyenas, Poachers, Wildebeest, Zebras | Date: Jun 03 2008 | By: Kimojino

The zebras are still coming across the Mara River in large numbers from the Musiara Plains in the North. With them there are a few wildebeest, and slowly but surely the Triangle is starting to fill with animals. Yesterday we managed to capture a video of an early morning crossing, which you can watch by clicking here watch by clicking here. You will see that the crocodiles have been eating so well these past few days that they are becoming too lazy in their attempts to capture the crossing animals.

Zebras crossing the Mara River.

Zebras crossing the Mara River.

As I mentioned in my last post, poachers are also preparing for the big day when the wildebeest will be arriving in their thousands, coming Northwards from Serengeti. We can be sure that poachers have spent the last few months acquiring new arsenals of wire snares, which are indiscriminate in who they choose to catch.

Zebras in the Savannah Grasslands.

Zebras in the Savannah Grasslands.

On Sunday at around 4pm, one spotted hyaena was found near Olpunyata at the central plains of the Mara Triangle. He had a serious wound around his neck inflicted by a wire snare which was still cutting deep into his flesh. He was feasting with other hyaenas on the carcass of a zebra, which had been injured by crocodiles when crossing the Mara River and then finally killed by the hyaenas. As the hyaena with the snare around his neck was feeding on this zebra we could see food spilling out from the open wound of his oesophagus. It was so sad to see.

Hyaena with snare around neck.

Hyaena with snare around neck.

Three days ago, Rangers from Kokatende Rangers Post seized 107 wire snares on a single patrol in the Northern Serengeti, along the wildebeest migration route. This is now the beginning of a long battle that we rangers must fight, and will continue until next year in February when the wildebeest and other herbivores will once again leave the Mara Triangle.

Zebras massing at the river's edge.

Zebras massing at the river’s edge.

I am pleased to be able to give you all an update on Ranger Leyian’s progress, who was shot when chasing rustlers. He came back from Nairobi on the 31st and immediately went to his home to recuperate. Doctors said that if it had taken just one more hour for him to reach the hospital then he probably would not have made it, but thankfully now he is expected to make a full recovery. We thank God for his survival and we are planning to visit him at home.

William tells me that their will be a full donation report for the month of May shortly, and I thank all of you for continuing to support the Mara in this crisis. We truly hope that these are the last weeks of this crisis and that the tourists will soon return.

12 Responses to “The Return of Snares in the Mara Triangle”

Hideo Ogihara, on 03 Jun 2008

When I watched the photograph of the hyena, I thought that it was a collar for researches.

Is there the method to remove a wire?

selles brotons (France), on 03 Jun 2008

Hello Joseph Kimojino, I am in love of all the animals on the world but particularly those who live in Africa. I like to see photos and videos you make and I thank you very much for the pleasure you give me and the work wich you make. Your video of Zebras crossing the Mara River is very beautiful…

sheryl, washington dc, on 03 Jun 2008

I was afraid to watch the zebra video for long for fear I’d see one of them get attacked.

Honestly, I hate these wire snares. It’s an underhanded, mean, cowardly, and downright disgusting practice. That poor hyena. What an awful thing. Thanks for the update on Ranger Leyian - I’m glad to hear he’s doing well. Good luck on the poaching patrols. I can’t imagine what a difficult job it must be at this time of year.

s.

scienceguy288, on 03 Jun 2008

Wow, you always see those videos of zebras trying to cross the river without becoming a fast food meal for the crocs. It must be quite amazing to be able to see that for yourself.

Hot Springs Guy, on 03 Jun 2008

So awesome that this can be brought into the public light! Those asshat poachers, and their snares!! I have caught poachers in Idaho with my camera before, and have almost stepped in their rusty metal snares! Keep fighting the good fight and stay safe. You have many supporters.

Dana- Phoenix Arizona, on 03 Jun 2008

Welcome back Joseph and Will. Hope you both are well rested and ready to get back to business in the Mara. Very unfortunate about any animal getting caught in those horrible snares. That poor hyena! Since this was human caused, will the KWS step in with one of their vets and humanely put the animal out of his misery? Very happy the Ranger Leyian is much improved. Please pass on my regards to him when you get a chance. And stay safe you guys!!!!

Will, I will be sending you an email in next few days as I have something to discuss with you for our visit in September. I’m sure you and Joseph are trying to keep up with the emails you received in your absence.

Harald (Netherlands), on 04 Jun 2008

Hey Joseph,

Good to have you back! I hope you had a nice time with your family?

What a great video of the zebra’s crossing. Looks beautifull. You know what they should do with poachers who make those snares… Put a snare around their own necks! See if they like that. Makes me mad when i see a picture of the hyena.

I’m glad ranger Leyain id doing ok.

Wish you all the best for the coming time!

kimojino, on 04 Jun 2008

Hallo everyone and thank you for your comments.We at the moment are preparing to encounter the influx of poachers and wire snares this coming wildebeests migration season.Most of the things we come across while in the field are so sad to see and tell.
Hideo Ogihara- removing the wire snare from animals must always require the presence of a Vet and in this case he was out of reach.
In general the task of protecting and conserving the Mara Triangle and the entire ecosystem is the responsibility of the Rangers.They will do all they can to ensure the security of all animals.

Daniel, on 04 Jun 2008

Hallo Mr. Joseph kimojino, I am glad that you are back and I hope you had a good time with your family. I am also glad that I found your blog. I have joined your email list for Mara Triangle Conservancy and since last week I have posted some comments on your previous blogs. I am originally from Kenya but I live now in the USA but I am planning a trip to Kenya in December on behalf of my organization and we are interested in your conservation initiatives at mara Triangle. Our goal for the trip is to come and meet with local community leaders, organizations and entrepreneurs interested in poverty eradication partnerships in Kenya. We realize that Africa’s wildlife is our greatest resource that has earned Kenya a world class recognition and also as a source for the much needed foreign exchange earner through tourism. Unfortunately, this industry and sector has not always lived up to its potential to be a catalyst for economic development for the country, especially as it relates to the poverty conditions within the local communities surrounding the parks and reserves. It is a delicate balance that must be addressed because we do not want to lose the Mara to poachers who kill the wild animals just because they want to provide food on the table for their families or to earn income through illegal trade of wildlife products. So, it is our goal (Africa Matters International- AMI) to go into communities like yours and partner in a meanigful way to both address the best ways to eradicate poverty and also on innovative approaches that will help sustain conservation initiatives that are responsive to local communities as it relates to the overall wildlife conservation and environmental protection as well as economic development goals. If there is anything specific you want me to do in support of your program and conservancy, please feel free to contact me through the email on my orgaization’s website. However, I have listed the Mara Triangle as one of my causes on my facebook page and I am recruiting supporters to join as well. If anyone out there is interested in this kind of support and approach for both poverty eradication and wildlife/environmental conservation, please visit my website at http://www.africamatterinternational.org and use the email address there to contact me. Thank you all for supporting MTC.

Amazing videos take aim at surge in poaching « Beyond 90 Seconds, on 04 Jun 2008

[…] this week, Kimojino shared his photograph of a group of hyenas feeding on a zebra. Once again, his dramatic account of that moment provided unique insight into the struggle against poaching. On Sunday at around 4pm, […]

Mara Triangle » Fighting Lions caught on video, hyaena dies from snare, and leopard kills more goats at Kipas Village, on 05 Jun 2008

[…] Tuesday I reported that we had found a hyaena with a snare around his neck, well I am sad to say that yesterday we found that the hyaena had died. We know that now the […]

Evanson, on 07 Jun 2008

Hie Joseph, thank you for keeping us abrest with what is happening in the triangle. its so sad that predators too continue to be affected by the snaring for bushmeat. we all need to work together to reduce the severity of this problem. i know that the Mara conservancy ranger force is up to the challange. keep up the good work and all the best.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Leave a Reply