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British soldier dies in Malawi during anti-poaching operation British soldier dies in Malawi during anti-poaching operation
(about 1 hour later)
A British soldier has died in Malawi during counter-poaching operations, the Ministry of Defence has said.A British soldier has died in Malawi during counter-poaching operations, the Ministry of Defence has said.
Mathew Talbot, 22, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on a patrol on 5 May when he was killed by an elephant.Mathew Talbot, 22, of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on a patrol on 5 May when he was killed by an elephant.
His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, described Guardsman Talbot as "determined and big-hearted".His commanding officer, Lt Col Ed Launders, described Guardsman Talbot as "determined and big-hearted".
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said he served with "great courage and professionalism" and was carrying out "vital" counter-poaching work.Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said he served with "great courage and professionalism" and was carrying out "vital" counter-poaching work.
She added: "This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife."She added: "This tragic incident is a reminder of the danger our military faces as they protect some of the world's most endangered species from those who seek to profit from the criminal slaughter of wildlife."
Gdsm Talbot, who was from the West Midlands, was serving in his first operational deployment, the MoD said.Gdsm Talbot, who was from the West Midlands, was serving in his first operational deployment, the MoD said.
He was killed in Liwonde National Park, in the south of Malawi. He was killed while on patrol on Sunday in Liwonde National Park, in the south of Malawi.
The patrol of armed British army soldiers and African Park Rangers was walking through tall grass - up to 7ft (2.1m) high - when they disturbed an unseen herd of elephants.
One of them charged at Gdsm Talbot. He died soon after from his injuries. No-one else on the patrol was hurt.
He leaves behind his father Steven, his mother Michelle, his sisters Aimee and Isabel, and his girlfriend, Olivia.He leaves behind his father Steven, his mother Michelle, his sisters Aimee and Isabel, and his girlfriend, Olivia.
In a statement, the MoD said Gdsm Talbot "was not unfamiliar" with Africa and had volunteered to support counter-poaching in Malawi.In a statement, the MoD said Gdsm Talbot "was not unfamiliar" with Africa and had volunteered to support counter-poaching in Malawi.
"With his keen interest in military history he was proud to have joined a regiment with such a rich and long lineage," it added."With his keen interest in military history he was proud to have joined a regiment with such a rich and long lineage," it added.
Operation Corded, the name given to the Army's counter-poaching deployment in Malawi, assists in the training of rangers in a bid to help them crack down on the illegal wildlife trade.Operation Corded, the name given to the Army's counter-poaching deployment in Malawi, assists in the training of rangers in a bid to help them crack down on the illegal wildlife trade.
Park rangers are taught skills such as tracking, partnered patrolling, communications, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing - with the first deployment taking place in August 2017.Park rangers are taught skills such as tracking, partnered patrolling, communications, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing - with the first deployment taking place in August 2017.
The former defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced the expansion of the UK's counter-poaching training at two parks in Malawi - doubling the number of rangers mentored by soldiers to 120 - in 2018.The former defence secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced the expansion of the UK's counter-poaching training at two parks in Malawi - doubling the number of rangers mentored by soldiers to 120 - in 2018.
Gdsm Talbot's company commander, Maj Richard Wright, said that while he had only known the soldier for a short time, "he never failed to make me smile".Gdsm Talbot's company commander, Maj Richard Wright, said that while he had only known the soldier for a short time, "he never failed to make me smile".
Lt Col Launders added: "Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit."Lt Col Launders added: "Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit."
Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith described the death as "tragic news".Shadow defence secretary Nia Griffith described the death as "tragic news".
She added: "It underlines the dedication and selflessness of our armed forces personnel serving across the world.She added: "It underlines the dedication and selflessness of our armed forces personnel serving across the world.
"My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.""My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."
A British soldier on fighting poachers in Malawi Elephant poaching is a huge problem across Africa - some estimates say 30,000 are killed every year - and there are probably only around 450,000 left.
The appearance of two British Army 4x4s in Malawi's Majete Wildlife Reserve turns heads as they leave the villages and make their way into the bush. In many places it has become literally a war against poachers - that's why rangers are trained by British troops.
L/Cpl Chad Spalding is one of the British soldiers on board, trying to help stop poaching. But there are different views over how to stop the illegal ivory trade.
He is about to spend the next few days with local rangers Boston Phiri, who is pretty new to the job, and Retief Chomali, who has 10 years' experience. International campaigns - backed by countries like Kenya - want a complete end to all ivory trade to prevent criminals exploiting permit loopholes.
"Most of the time you're concentrating on the environment itself," he says. "You're constantly looking, watching dangerous game, anything that might sneak up on you." But some southern African countries which account for the majority of Africa's elephants, believe limited and well-regulated trade in ivory can raise money to pay for conservation.
Read more about Chad's experience here. Botswana, which has been hosting an elephant summit over the past few days, has perhaps 130,000 of the animals - more than anywhere else - and has problems with human and elephant conflict.
The peculiar gift of elephant-foot stools to visiting leaders was a strong message in support of trade.
Under the management of a new president, it looks likely to re-introduce hunting -which is popular with rural voters - in an election year.