Prince Harry's Next Target: Elephant Poachers

Prince Harry formally ended his full-time military service in Britain's army today, wrapping up a career in which he qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot and completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan. The move was no surprise—the fifth in line to the British throne had revealed in March that he intended to end his service to take a more vigorous role in his charitable endeavors, particularly those in Africa. The 30-year-old Harry now will spend the summer working with animal conservation groups there, fulfilling what he has called a long-held dream.

Harry will work with the Zoological Society of London and with experts in wildlife protection in Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Botswana, sometimes helping rangers respond to reports of poaching attacks on elephants and rhinos, Kensington Palace said. "Prince Harry will be one of the best-informed ambassadors for the conservation community on what is really happening on the ground in Africa," said Jonathan Baillie, the director of conservation programs at the society. "His experience will be of great value." (More Prince Harry stories.)