In an effort to combat the devastating rate of rising deaths of the few beloved rhinos left, Prince Harry joined forces with Operation Corona based in the Kruger National Park last week Wednesday. Already having killed more than 300 poachers, the South African force consists of several hundred infantry, 400 armed rangers and 200+ others including special forces and civilians.

The Prince, who is travelling under the Zoological Society of London and the Tusk Trust, joined ranks with Operation Corona after spending six weeks in Namibia where the government is carrying out a dehorning programme.

Harry will be using his experience and skills with Apache helicopters to act as a co-pilot or even take the controls of the Gazelle helicopters used by the Corona unit.

The poor guy didn’t even have time to breathe before the anti-poaching unit tracked three poachers in the area and found themselves in a shootout, killing one poacher.

During night patrols, rangers use tracker dogs to hunt the poachers, letting off green smoke to alert pilots of safe landing spots within range to deploy attack teams. During full moon – also known as the ‘killing moon’ – up to 40 poachers carrying rifles, axes and grenades cross from Mozam into the park to get their prize.

Let’s just hope that Harry knows that there won’t be any sitting down over a cuppa to hash out reasons and explanations.

[source: dailymail]