Probe Opened After 5 Elephants Killed by Fires Started by British Soldiers Training in Kenya

The British High Commission in Nairobi has opened a probe after fires allegedly started by UK soldiers training in Kenya killed five elephants.

Reports indicate the incident happened on Wednesday during a training exercise at the Lolldaiga military training area in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.

British troops were reportedly preparing a meal on a camping stove when fire accidentally spread to dry grass.

In a statement on Friday, the British High Commission in Nairobi said it is looking into reports of the dead elephants and a social media post by a UK soldier.

The post made by the soldier on Snapchat on March 20th, 2021 (apparently during an earlier fire incident) stated, “Two months in Kenya later and we’ve only got eight days left. Been good, caused a fire, killed an elephant, and feel terrible about it but hey-ho, when in Rome.”

A spokesperson for the British High Commission said: “We can confirm that there has been a fire during a UK-led exercise in Lolldaiga Conservancy and that investigations are ongoing. Our priority is to urgently assist the local community where they have been impacted. We are putting all our resources into containing the fire and are working closely with the Kenyan authorities to manage the situation.”

“The welfare of the local community and its wildlife is of the utmost concern to the UK. Reports of dead elephants are being looked into as a matter of urgency by the British Army, Kenyan Authorities, and our Loldaiga Conservancy partners. We are extremely concerned by a social media post by a member of the British Army and it is being investigated.” 

The commission said all personnel, including 350 British troops have been deployed to beat the fire.

Three helicopters and crop-sprayer aircraft were also dispatched to extinguish the fire from above while four water tankers are dumping water on the ground.