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Counter-poaching troops help with black rhino relocation in Malawi
The army has helped to train over 200 counter-poaching rangers in Malawi so far.

Organisations collaborate in one of the largest international rhino translocations

In a recent three-month counter-poaching deployment in Malawi, soldiers from the Second Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles worked with African Parks to train new and existing counter-poaching rangers.

Based in Liwonde National Park, soldiers also assisted with the offloading of black rhinos that had travelled by air and road from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. This project was led by African Parks in partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Malawi’s department of national parks.

Black rhinos are currently critically-endangered, with around 5,500 living in the wild. The teams’ hope is that this project will help to boost the rhino population in the area and contribute to the preservation of the species.

Commanding Officer of the British Army Counter-poaching Team in Liwonde, Major Jez England said: “This latest counter-poaching deployment has been hugely successful. Not only do we share skills with the rangers, improving their efficiency and ability to patrol larger areas, but it also provides a unique opportunity for our soldiers to train in a challenging environment.

“Helping with the rhino move was a fitting end to our time in Malawi, getting up close to the animals we are here to help protect was an experience the soldiers won’t forget."

The counter-poaching ranger partnering programme is funded by Defra and delivered by the British Army. Between 2014 and 2021, the UK Government has committed over £36 million to combating the illegal wildlife trade.

The army has helped to train 200 rangers in Malawi so far. Because of this – along with the projects managed by African Parks and the department of national parks and wildlife – no high-value species have been poached in Liwonde since 2017.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.