Elephant Poachers Allegedly Shot The Pilot While Flying Friday

Three suspected elephant poachers have been arrested in connection with the shooting of a British helicopter pilot in Tanzania Friday. The pilot died of his injuries after managing to land his aircraft safely.

The U.K. newspaper The Mirror relays a report from the French news service AFP that the three were being held in Tanzania by police Sunday.

The pilot, Roger Gower (pictured), was helping Tanzanian authorities track the poachers when they fired on the aircraft. He landed the helo in the  Maswa Game Reserve, near Serengeti National Park, and died before rescuers could reach him.

In a message posted on the website of the Texas-based Friedkin Conservation Fund, chairman Dan Friedkin, Chairman said "Roger was killed while piloting a helicopter during a coordinated effort with the Tanzanian wildlife authorities to track down and arrest active elephant poachers. In the course of this action the poachers fired upon the helicopter and Roger was fatally wounded.

We are committed to honoring Roger and his work. We are also committed to ensuring that those responsible for this attack are found and brought to justice. We believe that Roger can best be honored by redoubling our commitment to protect elephants and our priceless wildlife heritage.

"This tragic event again highlights the appalling risk and cost of protecting Tanzania¹s wildlife."

(Image from Friedkin Conservation Fund Facebook page)

FMI: http://friedkinfund.org