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Mount Kenya Trust Horse Patrol Team

Dislike 0 Published on 9 Oct 2015

The MKT Horse Patrol Team (HPT) monitor wildlife and prevent illegal activities within Mount Kenya Park and Forest Reserve. They patrol
over 80 sq km of the Mt Kenya area.

A mounted patrol has many advantages. The team can cover more area along with inaccessible routes compared to the foot guard. Horses offer speeder approaches or retreats in a dangerous situation and can move more rapidly in emergencies such as forest fires, tip-offs or animals trapped in snares.

The mounted team is the first of its kind in the forest and patrol daily. The forest is under severe pressure from squatters, poaching, the bush meat trade, illegal clearing and deforestation for firewood, logging of large indigenous trees for furniture, charcoal production for cooking, unlawful crop cultivation, honey harvesting and marijuana farming.

'Since joining the HPT, I have gained a lot of experience on conservation and identifying the different animal and bird species in Mount Kenya. Our team’s main tasks are de-snaring and apprehending and arresting loggers and poachers. Using the horses to do this motivates me very much.

The horses help us to cover long distances during patrols. The trust has trained me how to ride and take care of the horses – something I have learnt to love and be passionate about.' Pius Muniria.

With thanks to Cecilia Garcia & Rosie Woodcock for the film.