SWT/KWS MVU Quarterly Report October - December 2025

SWT/KWS MOBILE VETERINARY UNITS

TSAVO, MARA, MERU, AMBO MT KENYA, RIFT VALLEY

October – December 2025 Report

October – December 2025 Report for Tsavo, Mara, Meru, Amboseli, Mt Kenya and Rift Valley Units.

The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), in conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) operate six Mobile Veterinary Units, which in this quarter attended to a total of 160 cases involving 541 animals. Although rains were largely disappointing in Tsavo, many ecosystems transitioned to a welcome rainy season, which decreased pressures on humans and wildlife alike. As a result, we saw a slight decrease in poaching and human-wildlife conflict (HWC) cases. The Units attended to 51 poaching cases (32%), most of which involved herbivores snared for bushmeat. Three elephants and one rhino were also snared — possibly as accidental victims. Teams also treated 10 elephants for spear injuries, six for arrows, and two for gunshot wounds, which marked a significant decrease from the last quarter.

Cases related to human-wildlife conflict were a theme this month, particularly in the Rift Valley. To help address this escalating challenge, the Rift Valley Vet Unit performed a detailed assessment of how human activities, such as agricultural fencing, fragment the natural range of species such as zebra, gazelle, buffalo and giraffe. Following the assessment, the team translocated over 300 animals from recently urbanised zones into safer, protected areas. The Mara Vet Unit successfully attended to three elephants from the same herd for HWC-related injuries. Following the post-mortem of an elephant possibly killed through HWC, the Mount Kenya Unit is organising a community outreach effort to support coexistence. To mitigate potential HWC, the Mt Kenya translocated 4 elephants, and the Tsavo Vet Unit relocated 1 elephant which were close to local communities.

Case Details

Outcomes of All Cases Attended to be SWT/KWS Vet Units

October - December 2025

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Vet Units

October - December 2025

October – December 2025

SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

October – December 2025

58 Cases

16 Poaching Cases

32 Elephant Cases

The Tsavo Ecosystem received very little rain during October, and the vegetation began drying out but the animals were still in good body condition, and some water pans remained full. However, the Ecosystem received significant rainfall in November and December which refilled most of the water pans and the vegetation became lush providing plenty of food for grazers and browsers Despite an increase in cases attended to by the Unit, there was a drop off in poaching and human-wildlife conflict due to there being plenty of vegetation for wildlife and livestock. The Unit attended to a total of 58 cases including 16 poaching, 7 HWC and 21 due to natural causes as well as 8 postmortems which were found to be natural deaths, collaring of a lion and a wild dog and relocation of a lion within the rhino sanctuary.

58 Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit October - December 2025

SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

To see the full report for Tsavo Vet Unit for the month of October 2025 click here

November 2025

To see the full report for Tsavo Vet Unit for the month of November 2025 click here

December 2025

To see the full report for Tsavo Vet Unit for the month of December 2025 click here

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

October – December 2025

26 Cases

9 Poaching Cases

7 Elephant Cases

The Mara Vet Unit attended to 26 cases throughout this quarter involving 7 elephants. Of the cases, 9 were related to poaching, 3 to human-wildlife conflict (HWC), 12 for natural causes and 2 natural deaths confirmed by a postmortem. There were no deaths related to poaching or HWC and the cases had a 73% success rate. There was a reduction in cases in October - December from September possibly due to favourable weather conditions. The three HWC Cases involved elephants from the same herd that were treated in the Mara North Conservancy for HWC related arrow injuries. The poaching cases included 2 elephants, a zebra and giraffe with arrow injuries, 2 elephants and 2 zebras with snare injuries, and 1 giraffe with a spear wound, all of which were given a good prognosis.

26 Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Mara Vet Unit October - December 2025

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by

SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

To see the full report for Mara Vet Unit for the month of October 2025 click here

November 2025

To see the full report for Mara Vet Unit for the month of November 2025 click here

December 2025

To see the full report for Mara Vet Unit for the month of December 2025 click here

SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

October – December 2025

4 Cases

1 Poaching Cases 1 Elephant Cases

The month of October marked the transition from the prolonged dry season to the onset of the rainy season within the Meru ecosystem. The rains rejuvenated the landscape, with vegetation slowly sprouting and gradually restoring a green cover across the ecosystem. Increased bird activity characterized by heightened vocalizations signified ecological revival and optimism for improved resource availability. November experienced variable weather patterns across the Conservation Area. Despite the fluctuating weather, it is anticipated that the ecosystem will receive substantial rains in the coming months, providing adequate drinking water and forage for wildlife. Due to the ample vegetation and water sources, there was a considerable reduction in cases attended to by the Meru Unit.

4 Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Meru Vet Unit October - December 2025

SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

November 2025

To see the full report for Meru Vet Unit for October - November 2025 click here

December 2025

To Meru Vet Unit were on leave for the month of December 2025.

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

October – December 2025

5 Cases

2 Poaching Cases 4 Elephant Cases

The Amboseli Ecosystem experienced a dry period, followed by sporadic showers of rain in September 2025. October and November were marked by cold, dry weather followed by a mix of dry periods, with sporadic showers of rain. Few cases were attended to as, due to weather changes, many animals moved out of the park. The vet team also took annual leave, and most of the cases were forwarded to the Tsavo Team. One orphaned elephant calf was rescued and moved to an SWT nursery. Two elephants were treated for spear wounds, and a postmortem was conducted on a lion that died from territorial fight wounds. The vet in charge of AMVU also attended a consultative seminar in Nanyuki on the proposed introduction of the endangered bongo into the Ragati-Chehe forests in Mt Kenya.

5 Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Amboseli Vet Unit October - December 2025

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by

October - December 2025

Amboseli Vet Unit

SWT/KWSAmboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

October – December 2025

30 Cases

4 Poaching Cases 10 Elephant Cases

During this quarter the Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit undertook various interventions in partnership with other veterinary units in the region and the capture unit from KWS headquarters Nairobi. A total of 5 White rhinos were located from Olenaihu, Laikipia, Lake Nakuru and Meru National Park. Three were introduced to Mt Kenya National Park to improve the genetics of the current population and another 2 were moved to Lewa Conservancy after repeatedly breaking out of Borana Ranch. The Unit also assisted in the embryo transfer in a Southern white rhino in the attempts to preserve the Northern White rhino subspecies. The Unit also collared 5 lions, 1 leopard and 42 baboons to assist in studies and to mitigate HWC. In addition, the Unit treated 2 elephants for spear wounds and 1 giraffe and 1 White rhino for snare injuries.

30 Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Vet Unit October - December 2025

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Vet Unit

October - December 2025

SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

To see the full report for Mt Kenya Vet Unit for the month of October 2025 click here

November 2025

To see the full report for Mt Kenya Vet Unit for the month of November 2025 click here

December 2025

To see the full report for Mt Kenya Vet Unit for the month of December 2025 click here

SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

OVERVIEW

The Unit attended to 37 cases during October - December including 19 poaching cases. Snaring continues to be the main cause of intervention with 12 zebra, 3 buffalo, 1 baboon and 1 waterbuck found with snare injuries. Two elephants were also treated for spear wounds. Following a detailed assessment the Unit translocated giraffes and zebras from Manera farm and various other wildlife species, including buffalo, zebra, gazelle, waterbuck and hartebeest from Kedong Ranch due to increased human-wildlife conflict (HWC) because of fragmentation of the habitat for human construction. A total of 310 animals were successfully moved. HWC continues to be a problem as 2 zebras were hit by vehicles, 2 buffalos were moved after posing a danger to farm workers and 2 giraffes were rescued from man-made pits/wells.

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by SWT/KWS Rift Valley Vet Unit

October - December 2025

SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

To see the full report for Rift Valley Vet Unit for the month of October 2025 click here

November 2025

To see the full report for Rift Valley Vet Unit for the month of Nov 2025 click here

December 2025

To see the full report for Rift Valley Vet Unit for the month of December 2025 click here