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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 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." |
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. | |
In many places it has become literally a war against poachers - that's why rangers are trained by British troops. | |
But there are different views over how to stop the illegal ivory trade. | |
International campaigns - backed by countries like Kenya - want a complete end to all ivory trade to prevent criminals exploiting permit loopholes. | |
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. | |
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. |