20th December 2007, early in the morning, Serena patrol team left the station to carry out a routine patrol along the Mara river downwards into the northern Serengeti National Park. While patrolling, they were signalled by Ngiro-are base, that they were tracking some poachers towards Kokatende Rangers post, therefore they could join together to enhance a bigger search of the said poachers, who seemed to have entered into the park two days ago.



Apprehended Poachers

A joint patrol, totalling 10 rangers and two land-rovers, crossed the mara river into northern Serengeti woodland Savannah. The search took 3 hrs which eventually brought them to the poachers hideout. A tough chase ensued and 5 poachers out of 8 were arrested. Three managed to escape into dense bushes along the many seasonal river within the Nzobo area of Serengeti, National park.

The poachers had killed 3 wildebeest and 1 zebra using wire snare traps, and we seized 26 wire snares, 2 spears, 3 bows, 10 poison arrows, several knives and a sword.



Rangers beside poachers belongings

On interrogation the poachers said they wanted to obtain some meat for Christmas, and surprisingly they seemed not to care about the havoc they were causing to the wildlife; which is one of the main foreign exchange earned to the region's economy. They were handed to the Serengeti TANAPA authorities for prosecution.

Congratulation to our brave men for the wonderful job.