Army’s mission to save rhinos

BRITISH soldiers will head to Africa next month to help save endangered black rhinos from poachers, the Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson will announce today.

The Army is sending about two dozen troops to Malawi as Britain steps up its fight against the ‘blood ivory’ trade.

The soldiers will use counter-insurgency tactics learned from fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq while training park rangers to hunt down the poachers.

Mr Williamson said: ‘This evil trade is worth £17billion and poses an existential threat to the planet’s most majestic mammals – it is our duty to preserve them for future generations.’

The Government fears that profits from ivory sales and the illegal wildlife trade are funnelled into criminal and terrorist gangs across Africa, which is in turn funding extremism.

Prince William, who has made wildlife campaigning one of his key charity aims, said earlier this year that the destruction of animal populations was an ‘almost unthinkable’ travesty.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed that Britain would bring in a ban on ivory sales.