A manhunt operation is ongoing in Tanzania after a British helicopter pilot was killed and a safari guide was injured during a search after they were hit by poachers from the ground. Five people have been arrested but authorities are looking for the perpetrators in the incident.
As reported by the Evening Standard, the 37-year-old Roger Gower died poachers shot the helicopter he was in with a AK-47 rifle from the ground. He had a companion while searching for the poachers in Maswa Game Reserve on Friday, but his companion was able to survive and is currently being treated for minor injuries and shock.
Gower's mission in the Reserve was part of collaboration between Friedkin Conservation Fund and the Tanzanian government as response to the "industrial-scale" poaching that has occurred in recent years. According to Reuters, the joint effort was due to the rapid decrease of elephant population in Tanzania with reports declaring 110,000 elephants in 2009 down to a little over 43,000 in 2014.
The harm inflicted to the elephant population is due to the increasing demand of ivory in Asia especially in China and Vietnam where they are turned into jewellery and ornaments. Poaching has affected the wildlife population of Saharan Africa.
Gower and a safari tour guide, Nicky Bester, went for a search after a report reached them about shots fired in the bush 12 miles from their base. According to The Guardian, the bullets passed through the helicopter's floor, hit Gower in the leg and in the shoulder before it exited to the roof.
Gower succeeded in lowering the helicopter into a tree which prevented a potential explosion and enabled Bester to jump and hide to safety. Bester was able to seek for help through his satellite phone, radio, and GPS, however it was not enough to save Gower.
"In the course of this action the poachers fired upon the helicopter and Roger was fatally wounded. We are committed to honouring Roger and his work. We are also committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack are found and brought to justice," Friedkin Conservation Fund president Dan Friedkin said in a statement.
"We believe that Roger can best be honoured by redoubling our commitment to protect elephants and our priceless wildlife heritage. This tragic event again highlights the appalling risk and cost of protecting Tanzania's wildlife."
Sympathy for Gower's death has also flooded in from his friends, former colleagues, and those who know Gower through social media. Gower's brother, Max, has also started a fund-raiser aiming to reach £50,000 to give to the anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania through the JustGiving website.
