Saving elephants is a war and we must help the heroes fighting it

There is a war going on in Africa. It is not a war that always reaches the headlines but it is a brutal one nevertheless.

It is a struggle that is being fought across African countries from Gabon to Kenya, Tanzania to Botswana. The battle is on to save the continent’s elephant population from extinction.

The men and women on the front line of this conflict are the wildlife rangers who risk their lives to confront well armed and well organised poachers hunting Africa’s “white gold”. Already more rangers have been killed in the recent poaching crisis than British servicemen in the Iraq and Afghan conflicts of the last decade.

So we are delighted that countries are signing up to the Elephant Protection Initiative and the recently formed Giants Club. Aside from critical political engagement, a key commitment is the support offered to those manning Africa’s “thin green line”. Training will be provided, equipment sourced, intelligence shared. This will help save not only the lives of elephants, but importantly, rangers too.

Africa’s park rangers are of particular concern to us at Tusk, and last November, our royal patron, the Duke of Cambridge, announced the introduction of the Tusk Wildlife Ranger Award to ensure these too often unrecognised heroes gain the credit due for their bravery.

This year’s inaugural winner, Edward Ndiritu is the head of the anti-poaching unit at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. His team protects both elephants and rhino in one of east Africa’s most important wildlife reserves.

Last Friday, on World Ranger Day, Prince William wrote him a note to tell him he had won the award, recognising his outstanding leadership and dedication. It will be presented at our annual Tusk Conservation Awards in London in November.

Across Africa it is the likes of Edward Ndiritu and his team of rangers who use military-style tactics to thwart poachers night after night. That is why Tusk, the Giants Club and, I hope, everyone reading this will keep doing all they can to support them.