A VETERAN of the Afghanistan conflict has joined a hi-tech operation to track rhino poachers in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

Matthew Lewin, from Poole, is travelling to Africa as a volunteer with the charity Veterans for Wildlife (V4W), an organisation which offers the services of highly-trained and experienced men and women who have served in the military to anti-poaching and conservation projects.

And Matthew, who served eight years in the British Army, will be following in the footsteps of his mum, who also worked abroad in animal care.

The 29-year-old, who now works as a consultant for the Cabinet Office, said: “I have always been interested in wildlife and animals - my mother was a veterinary nurse.

“Ever since she told me stories of going to Nepal to volunteer in teaching the local population animal care skills, I have wanted to contribute also.”

Matthew will be part of V4W team manning and monitoring an innovative ‘wide area surveillance system’ which is part-funded by the Postcode Lottery.

Dubbed the ‘Postcode Meerkat’ the system uses an array of radar and electro-optic sensors to detect poachers moving illegally through the national park.

The latest technology even allows the system, developed by South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, to differentiate between humans and animals.

Matthew will serve for two weeks as a ‘watch-keeper’, feeding the information to anti-poaching forces who are on standby, ready to respond with force if necessary.

He said: “I continue to be bewildered that in 2018 we are having to step-up efforts to combat poaching of vulnerable, majestic animals.”

South Africa’s rhino population is under serious threat from poachers armed with hunting and assault rifles.

The animals are slaughtered for their horns, which are illegally traded in south east Asia, in particular Vietnam, for their value as status symbols and used in traditional medicine.

“On a personal level, “Matthew said, “I want to boost my own confidence, see a tangible effect of my efforts and share some of the niche skills I have developed during my career.”

Just last month V4W volunteers working on ‘Postcode Meerkat’ were part of a wider operation resulting in the arrest of five poachers.