Community forest patrols are essential to protect forests from illegal activities. In the Aberdares, Rhino Ark has established the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU). It is an elite, 7-man team of community scouts that patrols the forests and targets illegal activities such as logging, charcoal kilns, snaring and wildlife trapping. They also monitor wildlife abundance and distribution, gather intelligence information, and participate in forest fire fighting