Tanzania: Slain Pilot Family Raises Funds to Fight Poaching
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An online fundraising in honour of a British pilot Roger Gower (37) who was killed by poachers in Simiyu region last week has been set up to raise 50,000 British pounds for conservation purposes.
The money will be used to help anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania now under threat of illegal hunters of animals for their trophies.
Reports posted on various information platforms overseas said the slain pilot's brother Max Gower would team up with other sympathizers to raise the money which would be channeled to various organizations involved in anti-poaching.
The remains of the late pilot were flown to the UK on February 5th aboard Qatar Airways
Rogers Gower (36) died on January 29th when a helicopter belonging to Mwiba Holdings that was tracking down poachers was attacked from the ground using a powerful assault rifle.
A co-pilot Nick Bester from South Africa escaped with some injuries. They were both working for Freidkin Consevation Fund which undertakes several wildlife conservation projects in the country.
The body of the late Gower had been at Mt.Meru regional hospital mortuary in Arusha for a post-mortem as investigations into the incident were being conducted.
At around 9 am on Thursday, the body was taken from the mortuary to the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) and flown to UK.
Gower from Birmighham was tracking the criminals after he and co-pilot Nick Bester from South Africa spotted elephant carcasses at a hunting block south of Serengeti National Park.
A high calibre bullet passed through the floor of the helicopter, hitting Gower's first in the leg then in the shoulder before exiting through the roof.
Despite his injuries, he managed to fly the helicopter down into a tree, allowing his spotter, Nicky Bester, time to jump out before it crashed to the ground.
According to Betro Mkilangwa, a community development field officer with Mwimba Holdings Limited an organization managing some hunting blocks in the area,the helicopter was brought down between Makao wildlife management area (WMA) and Mwiba Wildlife Ranch.
Reports from the remote area said the field officers with the Mwiba Holdings in Simiyu had requested for a helicopter from Arusha after noticing an unusual movement of elephants, signaling the presence of the poachers.
Reports from Simiyu said at least six people have been arrested in connection with the killing which has shocked the conservation world.
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