Following the brutal killing of Cecil the lion, the plight of animals at risk of being poached has been highlighted even further.
Now Prince Harry is doing his bit to protect animals across South Africa by working with the country’s anti-poaching initiative.
Harry has been working on night patrols at Kruger Park with a South African army unit in an effort to stop poachers from killing rare and endangered animals.
The 30-year-old only landed in the country last week, but has already been forced to confront three poachers hellbent on killing animals at Kruger Park nature reserve.
Harry has already been involved in one shoot out, which resulted in the poacher being injured.
Retired Major-General Johan Jooste- who is Harry’s boss whilst he works in South Africa- told the Mail on Sunday that the army’s operation is crucial for the survival of rare species and the defeat of poachers in the area.
He said: “This is a declaration of war against South Africa by armed foreign criminals.
“We are taking the war to these armed bandits and we aim to win it.”
South African conservationist Peter Chadwick told the International Business Times: "This is counter-insurgency, an actual war that they are fighting. I know of Prince Harry's involvement with the anti-poaching unit in Kruger and I know the situation there is no fun and games. You don't get a chance to sit down and reason with these guys over a cup of tea.
"It's all about rapid response and that's where the helicopters come in. I wouldn't be surprised if Harry was doing some piloting."
During his time working in the military, Harry has also toured Afghanistan twice and briefly worked in Australia.