A pack of hyenas stalked British soldiers as they trained in Kenya, the Army has revealed.
The encounter came during Exercise Haraka Storm, which is being held in the Laikipia region and the foothills of Mount Kenya.
Troops from Lancashire and the north east of England are taking part in the exercise.
Among them is the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, which is known as the “Lions of England”.
The Army said the regiment is being trained for its role of reinforcing Nato's eastern flank to “deter Russian aggression”.
Lance Corporal Connor Brady said: “Morale is really high, they all love being out here in the sun for a bit longer and get to see some of the wildlife.”
His section was out on patrol when they realised hyenas were tracking them.
“When you hear the hyenas following, you’re a bit standoffish at first, but then shine a white light at them and make some noise, then they back off,” the 28-year-old from Bootle, Merseyside, said.
The exercise has also given soldiers the chance to learn skills beyond the battlefield.
Private Tori-Mai Owen-Barry, a combat medic, completed a course which included treating wildlife injuries.
The 21-year-old, from Lancaster, said: "It taught me how to treat snake bites and scorpion stings.
“It also explained actual wild animal attacks.”
So far her patients have needed treatment only for foot problems, cuts from thorns and insect bites.
Meanwhile, The Tories have pledged to invest £10 billion in creating a new “iron dome” aimed at defending Britain and its overseas bases in the event of future attacks.
The so-called “Britannia Shield” would provide a network of radar, command and control systems to detect incoming threats along with interceptor missiles and counter-drone capabilities, the Conservatives said.
Announcing the pledge on the third day of the party’s annual conference in Birmingham, Kemi Badenoch accused Labour of failing to keep the country safe and said the system would protect the whole of the UK, its sovereign territories and British bases overseas.
The Tory leader said: “The world will not wait for Britain to get ready. War has returned to Europe. Missiles and drones are transforming warfare in the Middle East.
“Cheap weapons can now threaten cities, military bases and critical infrastructure in ways that would have sounded like science fiction a generation ago.”
She added: “The threat is here. Britain must be ready. And Britannia Shield will help make sure we are.”
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