Yankari Quarterly Report January-March 2015
Transcription
YANKARI GAME RESERVE WCS QUARTERLY REPORT January-March 2015 Report Prepared By: Nachamada Geoffrey WCS Yankari Project Manager [email protected] www.wcsnigeria.org 1 SUMMARY This report describes the law enforcement efforts and ranger patrols supervised by WCS in Yankari Game Reserve for the period January to March 2015. Protection levels continue to improve this quarter with the sustenance of four teams on weekly camping patrol, as a result forty-three camping patrols were completed by rangers during the period covering a total distance of 3,808 km. Thirty nine people were arrested for various offences (ten poachers, sixteen grazers, two trophy dealers, and eleven gum Arabic collectors). There was no crop raiding incidence reported because all farms have been harvested. The battery on the first satellite collar fitted to a Yankari elephant in October 2013 finally failed in March 2015. One elephant carcass was recorded. The main problem facing Yankari is the shortage of funding to repair the deplorable road network, organize more patrols and lack of reliable vehicles to support ranger patrols. Eleven people arrested in February who entered the reserve illegally to collect gum Arabic RESULTS AND DISCUSSION All ranger patrols at Yankari Game Reserve are currently based on the CyberTracker monitoring program, this year 2015 we plan to replace CyberTracker with the new SMART software. For reasons of personal safety rangers are only permitted to go on patrol provided that they are equipped with a functional firearm and sufficient ammunition. This new standard has reduced attacks on rangers by poachers but severely limits the number of patrols that can be organized at any one time. Notwithstanding, a total of 43 patrols were organized during this period (see Appendices 1 and 2 for more details). However, Map 1 clearly shows that some areas of the reserve did not receive any protection at all this quarter. There is an urgent need to increase the number of patrols to cover all areas of the reserve. Lack of maintenance of the road network within the reserve over recent years has resulted in massive deterioration such that many roads and bridges are now impassable. The poor nature of the roads within the reserve makes it 2 extremely difficult to carryout efficient patrols. Furthermore the lack of reliable patrol vehicles makes protection extremely difficult. The poor state of the road network is also affecting tourism. Patrol vehicles can only drive through a fraction of the reserve, many of the experienced poachers understand the situation of our roads and bridges so they strategically do their poaching in areas where they know that it will be very difficult for rangers to get them. The situation of the road increases pressure on the limited vehicles available for patrol. Our vehicles break down very often which not only increases cost and burden of maintenance but affects efficiency and productivity. Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WCS and Bauchi State Government is faced with great challenges due to lack of timely transfer of funds from Bauchi State Government to WCS. The PowerChute helped us chase grazers and poachers from the reserve and to locate the one elephant carcass recorded this quarter. A group of Fulani grazers who resisted arrest mobilized to attack rangers with bows and arrows. Rangers shot warning shots which got them scared. Four were arrested and sent to the police headquarters in Bauchi. No ranger was injured. A group of eleven people with six motor cycles were arrested in the reserve. They claimed to come in to collect gum-arabic. Similarly they were all sent to police headquarters in Bauchi. Due to continuous rise in the security in this part of the country, some of our cases are now transferred to the police headquarters for proper investigation. We have sustained sending out four teams on camping patrol each week, a significant achievement with the limited funds and resources available. Sunderland AFC and the Nuru Fund in collaboration with WCS provided solar lamps to Yankari Rangers through "small customized loans" to help eradicate the use of harmful kerosene lighting. This is a mission to replace traditional kerosene lamps with safe and healthy solar lamps. PATROL STRATEGY AND CAMPING PATROL SCHEDULE Discipline among rangers has improved and is currently relatively good. The strategy that all rangers on patrol must now possess a fully functional firearm and sufficient ammunition is strictly enforced. Currently, we can only organize four camping patrols each week and although this is a big improvement compared to when only two or three patrols per week could be organized, it is still not enough. In future, greater effort and attention is required towards firearm maintenance and more regular repairs. WCS continues to look at ways in which the police based at Wikki 3 can be used to help support patrols, unfortunately they are reluctant to participate on camping patrols and there are insufficient vehicles available to support both camping and daily patrols. At the moment, the Police Hilux, WCS Hilux and the old 4x4 Ford truck are the only vehicles available to support the rangers. These vehicles break down frequently which creates bottle neck to maximize human resources. Four teams consisting of six-seven rangers per team are sent out on camping patrol each week. There are no fixed camping locations, instead rangers continuously change their overnight location both to increase the area covered but also to minimize the risk of the camp being discovered by poachers and attacked. Due to insufficient firearms and vehicles, rangers based at the ranger stations on the edge of the reserve are no longer allowed to go on patrol. This is necessary to avoid further loss of life by rangers. Appendix 1 summarizes the patrol data for the quarter. PATROL EFFORT In Map 1, the darker part of the grid map indicates areas that have been more frequently patrolled, the grey portion represent areas that were less patrolled while the un-shaded parts of the grid represents areas that were not patrolled. Some areas of the reserve were not patrolled at all, leaving hunters free to operate in these areas without fear of arrest. However, the area coverage has improved compared to the previous quarter. Map 1: Patrol Coverage January-March 2015 4 ELEPHANT CONSERVATION This quarter elephant activity recorded was concentrated around the centre of the reserve (see Map 2 and 3 below). One elephant carcass was recorded. Elephant activity recorded while on patrol was concentrated around the Gaji River. With the aid of the powerchute, one elephant carcass was recorded during the reporting period. There was no crop raiding incidence reported because all farms have been harvested. Elephant herd captured from the PowerChute Map 2: Fresh Elephant Activity Recorded by All Ranger Patrols January-March 2015 5 Yankari elephant herd photographed during an anti-poaching patrol Map 3: Satellite Locations of Elephant Herd January (black), February (red), March (green) 6 LION CONSERVATION There were several lion sightings recorded, more around the centre of the reserve and a few scattered (see Map 4 below). There were reports of lion roaring around Wikki. Lion captured with camera trap at one of the salt-licks in February Map 4: Fresh Lion Activity January-March 2015 7 ALL OTHER MAMMAL SIGHTINGS Various other large mammals were sighted within the reserve (see Map 5 below) including baboons, waterbuck, roan antelope, buffalo, hartebeest, patas monkey, tantalus monkey, bushbuck and warthog. Map 5: Location of All Other Mammal Sightings HUNTING EVIDENCE Hunting signs recorded this quarter are shown in Map 6 below. We believe that poaching activity has reduced but remains a significant problem. With very limited resources available we maintained the current patrol strategy which targets vulnerable areas rather than try to cover the entire reserve. This strategy has also enabled us to focus more attention on the elephant herd containing the elephant fitted with satellite collar. 8 Map 6: Hunting Evidence LIVESTOCK GRAZING The frequency of cattle grazing has significantly reduced. However this remains a huge issue and a growing long-term problem that requires attention from government for a more sustainable solution. Zero tolerance towards cattle found inside the reserve has proved to be effective reducing the number of cattle sighted. However enforcing a zero tolerance policy is difficult with limited resources (vehicles and firearms) and it has been difficult to combat grazing and poaching at the same time. LAW ENFORCEMENT Thirty nine people were arrested for various offences (ten poachers, sixteen grazers, two trophy dealers, eleven gum Arabic collectors). See Map 8 below and Appendices 3 and 4 for more details. Most of the Fulani herders arrested were under age and cannot be sent to jail. It became necessary to transfer some cases to Police State Headquarters in Bauchi due to rising insecurity in this part of the country. These fines are relatively small for Fulani herdsmen and do not serve as an effective deterrent against illegal livestock grazing within the reserve. The Yankari special protection law dating from 1989 which specifies that anyone arrested inside Yankari goes to prison for six months, without any option of fine. If implemented, this law would serve as a more effective deterrent against illegal livestock grazing and would reduce the need to shoot cows. However there are many who would likely not want to see this law implemented. 9 Some of the poachers arrested inside the reserve before being transferred to Bauchi CHALLENGES FACED The inability of the Bauchi State Government to fulfil its obligation and contribute its financial obligation in full to WCS continues to be a major challenge. Continued delay of the necessary funds is jeopardizing the long-term future of Yankari, and irreparable damage may result if the situation is allowed to continue. Lack of maintenance of the road network within the reserve over recent years has resulted in massive deterioration such that many roads and bridges are now impassable. The nature of the road within the reserve makes it extremely difficult to carryout efficient patrols. Furthermore the lack of reliable patrol vehicles makes protection extremely difficult. The poor state of the road network is also affecting tourism. Patrol vehicles can only drive through a fraction of the game reserve; many of the experienced poachers understand the situation of our roads and bridges so they strategically do their poaching in areas where they know that it will be very difficult to get them. The situation of the road increases pressure on the limited vehicles available for patrol. Our vehicles break down very often which not only increases the cost and burden of maintenance but affects efficiency and productivity. 10 RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Bauchi State Government to contribute its counterpart funding in full and on time to enable activities to be carried out effectively. Unless this is done the reserve will deteriorate. 2. Repair the road network and broken bridges in the reserve for more effective patrolling and wildlife protection. 3. Purchase additional vehicles to provide essential support for patrol and monitoring/supervision. 4. Purchase additional firearms to increase patrol coverage. 5. Continue to strictly enforce the zero tolerance approach to livestock grazing inside the reserve. 6. Review the Bauchi State wildlife law and strengthen the existing penalties. 7. Liaise with the State Security Service to ensure that all wanted poachers are arrested and brought to trial. 8. Provide refresher training for rangers for more effective law enforcement, particularly weapons handling and shooting practice. 9. All poachers and herders arrested should be prosecuted using the 1989 special protection law. Removing the option of fines reduces opportunities for corruption and serves as a more effective deterrent. 10. Maintain a good working relationship with the police, army, SSS, magistrates and other government officials. 11 APPENDICES Appendix 1: 43 Camping Patrols Completed January-March 2015 No Area patrol Patrol Start Patrol End No of rangers 1 Mai Dawa, Dogon Ruwa 02/01/15 07/01/15 7 2 Gadan Tsallake 02/01/15 07/01/15 7 3 Bultu, Gwana 02/01/15 07/01/15 7 4 Libji, Mawulgo 09/01/15 14/01/15 7 5 Dorina track, Kuka 09/01/15 14/01/15 7 6 Tungulum 09/01/15 14/01/15 6 7 Ruwan Rakumi, Shashau 16/01/15 21/01/15 6 8 Dimil, Dogon Kurmi 16/01/15 21/01/15 7 9 Mai Dawa 16/01/15 21/01/15 8 10 Mai Bindiga, Nata’ala 23/01/15 29/01/15 7 11 Libji, Buri 23/01/15 29/01/15 7 12 Tukuruwa, Dogon-Ruwa, 23/01/15 29/01/15 7 13 Tungulum, Ruwan-Rakumi, Tungan Dutse, 30/01/15 Salt-lick B 04/02/15 7 14 Dimil, Maidawa, Shafale, Nata’ala 30/01/15 04/02/15 7 15 Dogon Ruwa, Libji Buri, Mai-Bindiga 30/01/15 06/02/15 7 16 Dimil, Shafake, Nata’ala, Ruwan-Gogo 06/02/15 11/02/15 6 17 Gurumtum, Tungan-Dutse, Tantabara 06/02/15 11/02/15 6 18 Tungulum, Shafale 06/02/15 11/02/15 6 19 Walakerol, Bultu, Gombaza 06/02/15 13/02/15 7 20 Dimil, Dogon Kurmi 13/02/15 18/02/15 6 21 Dogon-Ruwa, Bultu 13/02/15 18/02/15 6 22 Ruwan-Dumi, Dalamiri 13/02/15 18/02/15 6 12 23 Bultu, Libji, Garan-Garang 13/02/15 20/02/15 7 24 Mai-Konkoni, Dogon-Ruwa, 20/02/15 25/0/15 6 25 Twin-drift, Buri, Kariyo, Borkono 20/02/15 25/0/15 6 26 Magama, Salt-lick A&B, Filin-Tsintsiya 20/02/15 25/0/15 6 27 Gurumtum, Gonan-Ranger, Adamu Jumba, Kwala-road, 20/02/15 25/0/15 7 28 Salt-lick B, Salt-lick A, Gurumtum, Borkono 28/02/15 05/03/15 6 29 Fadam Malla, Mile 3 & 4, Lib-line 28/02/15 05/03/15 6 30 Kariyo, Giwa-Track 28/02/15 05/03/15 6 31 Shafale, Ruwan-Gogo 28/02/15 05/03/15 6 32 Dogon-Ruwa, Bultu 07/03/15 11/03/15 6 33 Borkono, Salt-lick A, Salt-lick B 07/03/15 11/03/15 6 34 Bultu, Gombaza, Dogon Kurmi 07/03/15 11/03/15 7 35 Kalban, Shaman, Ahmadu Bello way 07/03/15 11/03/15 6 36 Mai-bindiga, Sha’man, Kwafan Tonglong 13/03/15 18/03/15 6 37 Dogon-Ruwa 13/03/15 18/03/15 6 38 Gwambaza, Libji 13/03/15 18/03/15 6 39 Dogon-Kurmi, Garan-Garan 13/03/15 18/03/15 6 40 Guturu, Giwa-track 20/03/15 25/03/15 6 41 Borkono, Magama, Salt-lick A&B 20/03/15 25/03/15 6 42 Tungan-Dutse, Jar-Kasa 20/03/15 25/03/15 7 43 Tungulum, Tungan-Kiyashi 20/03/15 25/03/15 6 13 Appendix 2: CyberTracker Patrol Data for January - March 2015 Date 02/01/2015 03/01/2015 04/01/2015 05/01/2015 06/01/2015 07/01/2015 08/01/2015 09/01/2015 10/01/2015 11/01/2015 12/01/2015 13/01/2015 14/01/2015 16/01/2015 17/01/2015 18/01/2015 19/01/2015 20/01/2015 21/01/2015 23/01/2015 24/01/2015 25/01/2015 26/01/2015 27/01/2015 28/01/2015 29/01/2015 30/01/2015 31/01/2015 01/02/2015 02/02/2015 03/02/2015 04/02/2015 05/02/2015 06/02/2015 07/02/2015 08/02/2015 09/02/2015 10/02/2015 11/02/2015 12/02/2015 13/02/2015 14/02/2015 15/02/2015 16/02/2015 17/02/2015 18/02/2015 Patrols 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 4 5 5 4 3 4 1 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 4 3 3 3 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 Distance Time taken Start covered (hours) time (kilometers) 22.77981 26.6027 16:01:44 61.37271 21.2261 07:05:30 29.52205 16.018 09:13:40 34.58234 27.2052 09:54:37 61.28511 12.308 08:45:58 24.20332 10.3833 10:09:14 12.35131 29.8325 10:29:50 39.62854 13.8752 12:44:58 48.82014 30.8913 07:11:50 69.64985 28.4119 07:47:09 82.82225 20.2133 10:27:25 97.47074 20.5175 10:02:49 36.89601 50.5575 08:08:35 2.11778 12.5055 16:00:24 39.34756 19.1908 07:14:45 46.41131 35.1738 11:34:48 26.41451 11.3094 09:40:18 71.95146 31.9211 09:42:12 21.00126 13.2633 08:55:01 63.20043 58.3486 12:04:46 68.49952 22.5636 06:45:31 65.62763 13.7855 09:34:11 25.12297 30.6772 10:19:28 24.69963 15.9052 07:47:32 29.65832 15.4524 07:41:03 30.81536 22.3152 07:54:19 8.01438 3.8872 14:37:05 27.66249 14.5338 06:08:17 37.90385 10.1013 09:57:37 26.99943 27.2813 07:01:05 20.30864 20.0505 10:55:58 57.93832 9.3127 08:31:07 7.7268 3.4644 08:20:55 33.80693 15.0269 13:35:51 33.42384 18.9741 07:25:47 92.75206 36.9219 06:47:40 59.60258 15.7266 08:15:55 25.48292 14.5741 09:28:13 22.3528 10.9566 09:02:15 22.52778 55.2322 11:28:10 25.38191 47.9744 08:57:07 72.34371 29.4122 05:53:19 44.28083 31.2822 07:20:21 51.30838 26.5861 07:18:20 32.85653 22.6511 11:53:21 43.1714 13.535 07:11:58 14 Stop time 17:06:54 17:42:17 18:00:41 13:16:17 14:55:13 19:27:00 10:29:50 16:13:05 13:29:10 13:19:29 15:30:42 16:53:10 12:05:36 16:00:37 13:38:34 18:30:33 13:26:29 14:04:01 16:40:33 14:22:48 14:16:47 13:00:58 14:21:05 13:05:39 12:50:06 07:55:26 17:50:40 15:52:03 16:38:11 14:00:39 15:12:40 15:46:41 11:48:47 14:49:17 13:45:16 13:54:15 13:28:27 14:19:42 12:41:23 17:00:10 14:16:54 15:45:55 19:07:25 16:10:04 19:03:17 15:58:08 19/02/2015 20/02/2015 21/02/2015 22/02/2015 23/02/2015 24/02/2015 25/02/2015 26/02/2015 27/02/2015 28/02/2015 01/03/2015 02/03/2015 03/03/2015 04/03/2015 05/03/2015 07/03/2015 08/03/2015 09/03/2015 10/03/2015 11/03/2015 13/03/2015 14/03/2015 15/03/2015 16/03/2015 17/03/2015 18/03/2015 20/03/2015 21/03/2015 22/03/2015 23/03/2015 24/03/2015 25/03/2015 27/03/2015 28/03/2015 29/03/2015 30/03/2015 31/03/2015 1 4 3 3 3 3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 3 220 24.76872 49.30242 49.09287 86.32984 74.25249 47.10719 50.19556 11.09338 23.54284 67.76169 40.77062 74.50325 35.07413 49.95936 24.24885 50.80704 55.36646 64.76442 47.42804 21.12145 26.51937 84.52735 73.59485 101.99563 79.14302 40.90415 49.57422 35.07634 122.73029 56.59118 31.12543 27.02064 46.43238 37.05883 23.96913 31.08933 111.32055 3808.26081 15 21.2752 41.448 49.0099 51.1244 27.8936 22.9044 39.2105 28.3944 23.7763 39.2777 32.9041 49.4972 40.7408 34.3494 30.065 18.0858 20.9838 41.7119 39.3255 24.3722 13.8994 35.5716 30.4722 43.7497 38.8966 20.7919 44.5961 18.7147 142.6183 10.8524 18.9366 12.6286 18.6486 22.5266 22.6644 17.9061 28.8061 2256.5687 10:32:32 11:26:26 07:34:14 06:50:30 06:29:50 06:45:05 06:09:06 05:49:11 11:46:36 06:16:27 09:55:19 07:32:45 08:10:07 08:16:36 08:35:44 07:10:23 06:17:16 05:36:23 06:11:46 05:21:44 13:22:58 10:44:27 08:07:51 06:46:53 08:35:16 06:05:43 14:26:34 06:27:17 06:11:53 08:19:20 06:00:50 07:21:47 11:53:47 06:18:24 06:26:40 07:33:07 08:19:05 08:47:12 18:41:34 15:02:50 14:22:42 15:50:20 15:47:43 13:09:29 12:59:59 17:39:42 13:55:02 18:17:15 17:34:36 15:55:41 15:22:46 14:34:54 08:35:44 16:12:58 16:46:47 18:42:45 17:41:05 13:55:07 17:59:12 16:17:29 15:44:56 14:26:52 17:07:54 12:35:46 16:41:50 15:48:44 17:59:13 12:57:44 17:59:12 15:35:19 17:41:49 11:35:57 15:18:39 14:36:20 18:52:16 15:17:07 Appendix 3: Thirty-Nine Arrests and Court Outcome January-March 2015 Date Name Location Offence Outcome 11/01/1 Sati Guga Rimi Poaching Six months in jail 12/01/15 Bello Sule Malla Poaching Six months in jail 25/01/15 Umaru Hamza Walakerol Poaching They were arrested outside the reserve and with no proof. Was charged two weeks in remand. 25/01/15 Sani Hassan Walakerol Poaching They were arrested outside the reserve and with no proof. Was charged two weeks in remand. 25/01/15 Mai Sale Mohammed Jada Poaching They were arrested outside the reserve and with no proof. Was charged two weeks in remand. 25/01/15 Alhaji Mohammed Jada Poaching Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 23/01/15 Iro Isa Ahmadu Bello Grazing Way Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 24/01/15 Adamu Jabbi Jibrin Nayaya Grazing Track Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 24/01/15 Ja’o Sale Jibrin Nayaya Grazing Track Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 28/01/15 Babuga Alh. Oro Faliyaram Grazing Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 28/01/15 Abdullahi Oro Faliyaram Grazing Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was 16 charged N15,000 28/01/15 Siddi Oro Faliyaram Grazing Minor. Two weeks on remand and the father was charged N15,000 02/02/1 Saidu Tafida Gurumtum Poaching Six months in jail 05/02/15 Bammo Jabi; Iro Alh,Ori; Ahmadu Buba; Ado Saleh Nuhu Haruna; Sale Hamisuo; Mudassi Saidu; Sallau Baba; Ali Haruna; Abdulrahaman Hamisu; Hassan Abdu; Chindo Hamisu; Haruna Yahaya; Dahiru Hamisu; Bappayo Chindo Shede Abdul; Musa Attede; Abdu Buba; Iro Alh Maole Sani Abdu; Nura Mohammed Daniel Yakubu; Sama’ila Adamu; Timothy Adamu Buba Maole; Buba Tundu Dogon Ruwa Grazing and Transferred to Bauchi police headquarter attacking rangers Gale Found in the Transferred to Bauchi police headquarter reserve and they claim to be collecting gum Arabic Dogon-Ruwa Grazing Minors, all sent to remand for a week and the parents were charged N60,000 Yashi Trophy dealers Three months in jail Gale Hunting Three months in Jail. They were arrested outside the reserve. Kuka Grazing Minors. Sent to remand for a week. The parents were charged N20,000 16/02/15 04/03/15 09/03/15 13/03/15 23/03/15 17 Appendix 4: Elephant Carcass Data January-March Date GPS Long GPS Lat Carcass Age Sex Age 26/02/15 10.32280 9.46180 About five Adult months old Unknown 18 Death cause Meat taken Ivory status Hec_ Unknown Yes Missing There was elephant no crop raiding cases reported comment situation Might have been killed by poachers because it was far away from communities and meat was taken but there was no sign to indicate gunshot.
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