We wanted to give you an update on some recent events reported by WAG. Lynn has had a rough holiday season with the increased poaching, the loss of her friend and cohort Austin and having just recovered from another bout of malaria. How she keeps smiling is beyond me.

She sent a couple of pictures of her and the rangers after they received the Christmas bonus sent by Elefence and the gifts that the rangers received from WAG.

Lynn reported that they have planted 52,000 seedings in two sites previously deforested in the reserves. They arrested an ivory dealer and sized the ivory and arrested two charcoal burners cutting wood in the reserves. They are still trying to chase three bulls who left the reserve back into the forest. UPDATE Three people were killed last week by elephants from the reserve, a mother and infant child and a man trying to protect his garden. Elefence is working on securing a grant to complete the fence to keep wildlife in the reserve.

Below are photos from of the camera traps WAG sets out. The camera traps trigger a photo when movement is sensed nearby. WAG use the photos to keep track of animals within the reserve as well as people in the forest who should not be there. The background in the photos is a flat pan that has salt and mineral deposits. All types of animals visit it to get the minerals they need to maintain their health. It is a great place to get shots of all sorts of animals.

Elefence is planning to supply some additional camera traps to allow WAG to expand its coverage in the reserves.

Finally a picture of Lynn’s canine companion Tarik by the Christmas tree in the lodge. Tarik means star which you can see on his chest. He is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and very friendly.