The British High Commission in Kenya has launched a probe into an incident where five elephants were reportedly killed in fires started by UK soldiers in Nayuki.
While insisting that the welfare of the local community and wildlife is their utmost concern, the High Commission said it is investigating the incident that happened at the Lolldaiga military training area.
Reportedly, the British troops were cooking a meal using a camping stove when fire accidentally caught dry grass. What resulted was a huge fire that spread over a large area.
“Reports of dead elephants are being looked into urgently. We are extremely concerned by a social media post by a member of the British Army and it is being investigated,” says the British High Commission in Kenya.
The social media post was posted on Snapchat by the soldier who apparently started the fire.
A total of 350 British troops have been deployed to beat the fire and double the width of fire breaks. Three helicopters and a crop-sprayer aircraft were also used in pouring water on the fire from above, while four water tanker trucks are dumping water on the ground.
The Kenya Wildlife Service has not denied or confirmed that five jumbos were lost in the fire.