A HELICOPTER pilot who was shot down by elephant poachers in Tanzania was a former student at Malvern College.

Roger Gower, 37, was helping authorities in Tanzania track the poachers when they fired on his aircraft on Friday, the Friedkin Conservation Fund (FCF) said.

Although Mr Gower landed the helicopter in the Maswa Game Reserve, near Serengeti National Park, he died from his wounds before he could be rescued.

Police have reportedly arrested three men in connection with his death.

The Malvernian Society, an alumni association for former Malvern College students, posted a tribute to Mr Gower on its website.

The statement said: "OMs will be extremely sad to hear that the helicopter pilot who was shot down and killed at the weekend whilst chasing poachers in a wildlife park in Tanzania was Roger Gower, who was in House 9 with Bill and Christina Denny in the early nineties.

"Roger began his career as an accountant but found his vocation when he trained as a helicopter pilot in Florida and he had been working in Tanzania since 2009."

The Duke of Cambridge says he has been left "saddened" by the death of Mr Gower.

William has been campaigning for years to try to stop the illegal trade in animal parts, particularly elephant ivory and rhino horn.

The Duke, who has visited southern Africa extensively, did not know Mr Gower but a Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The Duke was saddened that yet another life had been lost due to poaching."

Mr Gower's brother Max has launched a campaign to raise money to help anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania.

A JustGiving page has been set up, including a heartfelt statement which reads: "I am Roger's brother, his friend and father of the nieces that he adored.

"I am proud to have known him and to be able to say he was my brother. Those who knew him will remember his idiosyncrasies but also his principles, his morality and his infectious love of having fun

"We're raising £50,000 to help anti-poaching efforts in Tanzania because some good should come out of Roger's tragic death."

To help Max Gower reach his £50,000 target, visit crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Roger-Gower