Coldstream Guard is killed by elephant he was trying to save
Prince William ‘writes to offer condolences’ to anti-poaching soldier’s family
‘Criminal slaughter of wildlife’
A BRITISH soldier has been killed by an elephant during an anti-poaching mission in Malawi.
Mathew Talbot of the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, was attacked along with an Army colleague and African park rangers.
The group spotted an elephant and quickly backed off, only for a second to loom up behind them. It charged, trampling Guardsman Talbot under its feet.
The rangers fired shots and lit bangers to scare off the elephants but it was too late to save the soldier, who died of his wounds shortly afterwards. It was his first operational deployment.
An Army source said last night: ‘At this time of year the grass is really long and it makes it quite difficult to see great distances. Elephants are remarkably quiet creatures. Although they are noisy while they are eating they are really quiet when they are moving so it is quite easy for them to startle humans.’
Prince William, a fierce critic of poaching, is believed to have written to Guardsman Talbot’s family to offer his condolences.
It is understood the group was patrolling in Liwonde National Park in the south of Malawi.
Prince Harry visited Liwonde in 2016 and took part in an operation moving elephants 200 miles to another reserve. He also observed anti-poaching projects there, spending almost three weeks working on the initiative. He described being around elephants as a unique experience.
A defence source said: ‘You go to Malawi expecting it to be a safe deployment, it’s heart-breaking that this has happened.’
Lieutenant Colonel Ed Launders, Guardsman Talbot’s commanding officer, said the soldier was a determined and big-hearted man, who devoted his life to serving his country. He added: ‘It was typical of his character to volunteer for an important and challenging role in Malawi. He was hugely proud of his work as a counter-poaching operator, and tragically died doing great good.
‘Mathew was loved by his brothers in arms in the Coldstream Guards. We will sorely miss his humour, selflessness and unbeatable spirit. My deepest condolences go to his parents, family and loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with them at this desperately sad time.’
Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt said Guardsman Talbot had served with great courage and professionalism and was carrying out vital work. She said it was ‘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’.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman praised Guardsman Talbot for having befriended locals in Malawi and starting to learn the language.
A fan of photography and Frank Sinatra, he was also said to be an avid reader of military history.
His company commander, Major Richard Wright, said: ‘Guardsman Talbot bravely lost his life whilst ensuring that endangered species will be around for future generations to learn from and enjoy.’
Major Wright said the loss would be felt throughout the battalion, adding that he leaves behind his father Steven, mother Michelle, sisters Aimee and Isabel, and girlfriend Olivia. Guardsman Talbot was described by colleagues in the ranks as a ‘proud Brummie’, who worked hard and was always laughing and cracking jokes.
His death is the first on a military operation since SAS soldier Sergeant Matt Tonroe was killed in action in Syria in April last year.
Operation Corded, the name given to the Army’s counterpoaching deployment in Malawi, assists in the training of rangers in a bid to help them crack down on the illegal wildlife trade.
They are taught skills such as tracking, partnered patrolling, communications, surveillance, and intelligence-sharing.
The first deployment took place in August 2017. More than 30 British troops are based in Malawi.
Defence minister Tobias Ellwood said: ‘This may not have been a battlefield but it shows you that there’s danger inherent right across what our armed forces do.
‘It’s truly sad to learn of his untimely death and our thoughts and prayers are very much with his friends and family at this moment.
‘He was doing an important job and I know that’s something that he loved as well.’