Emergency Lines Open

Report a wildlife
emergency — now.

Poaching in progress, an animal attacking livestock or people, an injured or distressed animal, or any wildlife incident requiring urgent KWS attention. Choose the channel that works fastest for you — all three reach the same 24/7 dispatch desk.

<15 min
Avg. dispatch acknowledgement
2,847
HWC incidents resolved YTD
847
Rangers on patrol now
5
Regional dispatch centres

What's Happening

Select the Situation Closest to Yours

Choosing a category gives you specific guidance on what to do right now and which channel gets the fastest response — but in any genuine emergency, calling 0800 597 000 is always correct.

Poaching in Progress
Critical — Call 0800 597 000 immediately
Do This Now
1Move to a safe distance. Do not approach or confront anyone you believe is poaching.
2Call 0800 597 000 immediately. Give your location as precisely as possible — landmark, road, or GPS coordinates.
3If safe to do so, note vehicle descriptions, registration plates, number of people, and direction of travel.
4Do not post about the incident on social media before rangers respond — this can compromise the operation.
What Happens Next
Dispatch alerts the nearest ranger unit and anti-poaching team within minutes.
If available, aerial or drone support is deployed to track movement.
You will not be asked to identify yourself unless you choose to — anonymous reports are accepted and acted on.
Recommended Channel
📞 0800 597 000 — Call Now
Animal Attacking Person or Livestock
Critical — Call 0800 597 000 immediately
Do This Now
1Get people away from the animal. Move indoors or behind a solid barrier — do not attempt to chase the animal away yourself.
2Call 0800 597 000. State the species if known, exact location, and whether anyone is injured.
3If anyone is injured, also call your nearest medical emergency line — KWS dispatch can coordinate with medical services but is not a substitute for an ambulance.
4Keep children and livestock secured indoors or in bomas until rangers confirm the area is clear.
What Happens Next
The nearest HWC response unit is dispatched — typical response time under 1 hour in most areas, faster near park boundaries.
Rangers assess the situation and use approved deterrent methods to move the animal away from people safely.
If livestock or property was lost, you will be guided through the compensation claims process afterward.
Recommended Channel
📞 0800 597 000 — Call Now
Compensation Claims Process
Injured or Distressed Wild Animal
High — Same-Day Veterinary Response
Do This Now
1Keep your distance — an injured wild animal is unpredictable and may be dangerous even when weak.
2Note the exact location, species, and nature of the injury (snare, vehicle collision, visible wound, illness).
3If possible, send a photo via WhatsApp — this helps the veterinary team prepare the right equipment before arrival.
4Do not attempt to remove a snare or treat the animal yourself, even if you have some experience — improper handling can cause further injury or danger to you.
What Happens Next
A KWS veterinary team or trained ranger unit is dispatched — typically same-day, prioritised by species conservation status.
For collared animals, GPS data helps locate the individual quickly even if it has moved.
You may be asked to remain nearby (at a safe distance) to guide the response team to the exact location.
Recommended Channel
💬 WhatsApp — Send Photo + Location
Crop Raiding or Property Damage
High — Same-Day Response + Compensation Eligible
Do This Now
1If animals are still present, do not approach — call 0800 597 000 to report active crop raiding so rangers can respond while it's happening.
2Photograph the damage and the animals if visible — this evidence supports both the incident report and any compensation claim.
3Avoid using fire, poison, or unapproved deterrents — these can injure animals, escalate conflict, and disqualify compensation claims.
4Note the date, time, crop or property affected, and approximate area or value of loss for your records.
What Happens Next
If reported while in progress, rangers attempt to move animals back toward protected areas using approved methods.
A field officer visits within 5 working days to assess and document damage for the compensation process.
Your incident report reference number is required to start a compensation claim — keep it.
Recommended Channel
📞 Call (active) · 💬 WhatsApp (after the fact)
Start a Compensation Claim
Wildlife Near Settlement (No Conflict Yet)
Standard — Logged for Patrol Planning
Do This Now
1Use the online form below or send a WhatsApp message — this is not an emergency requiring an immediate call unless behaviour changes.
2Note species, approximate numbers, direction of movement, and time observed.
3Alert neighbours, especially those with livestock or young children, so the community can take precautions.
4If the situation escalates to direct conflict, switch immediately to calling 0800 597 000.
What Happens Next
Your report is logged and cross-referenced with GPS collar data if the animals are tracked individuals.
Patrol routes for the next 24–48 hours may be adjusted to monitor the area.
Repeated reports from the same corridor inform longer-term mitigation — fencing, early-warning systems, or community deterrent training.
Recommended Channel
📋 Online Form or 💬 WhatsApp
Illegal Activity in Protected Area
Critical — Confidential Reporting Available
Do This Now
1Do not confront individuals involved — your safety matters more than the report.
2Report via WhatsApp or the online form — both support anonymous submission if you prefer not to be identified.
3Include location, the type of activity observed, approximate scale, and timing — ongoing or one-off.
4For corruption concerns involving KWS staff specifically, you may also email integrity@kws.go.ke directly.
What Happens Next
Reports are reviewed by the regional senior warden and, where relevant, the intelligence and security unit.
Anonymous reports are not traced — your identity is never required to act on credible information.
Patrol and enforcement activity follows, timed to avoid alerting those involved where possible.
Recommended Channel
💬 WhatsApp (anonymous option available)
Marine Wildlife Incident
High — Same-Day Response (Coastal Units)
Do This Now
1For a stranded turtle or marine mammal, do not push it back into the water — this can worsen injuries. Keep it shaded and wet if on a beach.
2Call 0800 597 000 or contact the Watamu Marine Park office directly if you're nearby — coastal units coordinate with KWS marine rangers.
3For illegal fishing observed within a marine protected area, note vessel description and GPS position if possible — report via WhatsApp.
4Keep onlookers and pets away from stranded animals — stress significantly reduces survival chances.
What Happens Next
Marine rangers and, where needed, veterinary support are dispatched from the nearest coastal station.
Stranded animals are assessed and either treated on-site or transported to a rehabilitation facility.
Illegal fishing reports are cross-checked with marine patrol vessel positions for rapid interception.
Recommended Channel
📞 0800 597 000 · 💬 WhatsApp
Watamu Marine Park
Something Else
Standard — Logged for Review
Do This Now
1Use the online form below to describe your concern in your own words — there's a free-text field for exactly this.
2For staff conduct or corruption concerns, you can also email integrity@kws.go.ke for confidential review.
3For general feedback unrelated to wildlife or safety, the governance pages have dedicated public feedback channels.
What Happens Next
Your submission is routed to the appropriate department based on the content of your report.
You will receive a reference number for any follow-up correspondence.
Recommended Channel
📋 Online Form Below

Online Incident Report

Submit a Detailed Report

Use this form for non-urgent reports, to add detail after a phone call, or when you have photos and precise location data to share. Every submission receives a reference number for tracking.

If your situation is unfolding right now and involves danger to people, call 0800 597 000 instead — this form is reviewed by dispatch staff but is not monitored second-by-second.

Privacy note: You may submit reports anonymously by leaving the contact fields blank. Anonymous reports are acted on identically to identified ones, but we cannot send you a status update without a contact method.

GPS coordinates significantly speed up dispatch — your browser will ask permission to share your location.

Report Received

Your report has been logged and routed to the relevant regional dispatch centre. Keep your reference number for any follow-up.

KWS/INC/2025/000000

Response Process

From Report to Resolution

Every report — phone, WhatsApp, SMS, or online form — enters the same dispatch system and follows this path. Critical incidents skip directly to step 3.

1
Immediate
Report Logged
Your report enters EarthRanger with a timestamp, location, and reference number — generated automatically regardless of channel.
2
< 5 minutes
Triage & Routing
Dispatch staff classify urgency and route to the nearest available ranger unit, HWC team, or veterinary unit based on incident type.
3
< 15–60 min
Field Team Dispatched
For critical and high-urgency reports, the nearest team is mobilised immediately — typically arriving within an hour in accessible areas.
4
On arrival
Assessment & Action
Rangers assess the situation on the ground — securing the area, treating an animal, deterring wildlife, or documenting evidence as appropriate.
5
Within 5 days
Follow-Up & Closure
For incidents involving loss or damage, a field officer follows up — including initiating compensation claims where applicable. Your report is marked resolved.

Regional Dispatch Centres

5 Regional Centres, One National Number

0800 597 000 reaches a national call centre that routes to the regional centre covering your location automatically — you don't need to know which one to call.

Southern Conservation Area
Tsavo Regional Centre
CoversTsavo E/W, Amboseli, Chyulu
Direct line+254 043 30049
Avg. response35 min
Mara Conservation Area
Maasai Mara Regional Centre
CoversMaasai Mara, Mara conservancies
Direct line+254 050 22612
Avg. response28 min
Central Rift Conservation Area
Nakuru Regional Centre
CoversLake Nakuru, Hells Gate, Aberdare
Direct line+254 051 850408
Avg. response22 min
Northern Conservation Area
Samburu Regional Centre
CoversSamburu, Marsabit, Laikipia, Meru
Direct line+254 064 30007
Avg. response48 min
Coast Conservation Area
Mombasa Regional Centre
CoversWatamu, Malindi, coastal MPAs
Direct line+254 041 2312744
Avg. response40 min
Nairobi Conservation Area
Nairobi Regional Centre
CoversNairobi NP, Athi-Kapiti corridor
Direct line+254 020 6000800
Avg. response18 min