William’s plea for an end to the immoral ivory trade
PRINCE William last night urged the Chinese people to abandon the ‘immoral’ ivory trade – as ministers rolled out the red carpet for the country’s President.
In a passionate speech, the Duke of Cambridge criticised the use of ivory and rhino horn for medicine, jewellery and art, which he said was driving the ‘brutal slaughter of iconic animals’.
In a direct challenge to Far Eastern medicinal practices, he insisted: ‘Rhino horn cannot cure cancer.’
The speech, which will be broadcast to more than 100million people on Chinese television, included a plea to preserve endangered species for generations to come, including his children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
He warned that at current rates, the last wild elephants and rhinos will die out before Charlotte – who was born in May – turns 25.
But his comments risked a diplomatic row with China as President Xi Jinping landed in London last night for a four-day state visit. Mr Xi will hold talks with David Cameron, address MPs in Westminster and attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
The Prince is a dedicated campaigner against the illegal wildlife trade and last year highlighted how the soaring price for ivory in China had led to a surge in poaching.
Rhino horn is also popular in the Far East and practitioners of Chinese medicine believe it can save lives threatened by fever or infection. The trade was banned by the Chinese government in 1993 but there remains a significant illegal market.
Before recording his speech at King’s College London, Prince William met with adventurer Bear Grylls and retired Chinese basketball player Yao Ming – whose 7ft 6in frame towered over the Royal. Both guests were also giving speeches.
During his address, the Prince attempted to soften his message by saying that people in China wanted to protect its ‘ rich and beautiful natural heritage’.
But he said he wanted to discuss the ‘ mass destruction of iconic endangered species’.
‘It is time to talk about the growing human demand for ille- gal wildlife products that drives the trade,’ he said. He warned that three rhinos a day were being killed by poachers in South Africa, while 54 elephants were being slaughtered every day across Africa.
‘At this rate, children born this year – like my daughter Charlotte – will see the last wild elephants and rhinos die before their 25th birthdays.’
The Duke highlighted his family’s own history of involvement in the trade and admitted it was a ‘sensitive’ issue. But he said each generation ‘can determine what we consider to be beautiful on the one hand, or unaccepta- ble or immoral on the other’, adding: Until 100 years ago my ancestors were among those who had little concern about acquiring ivory, without the knowledge of the threats of extinction... that the ivory trade would lead to.
‘My rejection of ivory today is not a judgment of past generations. It is an acceptance of the world as I find it and the world I want my children, George and Charlotte, to inherit.
‘ Likewise, those doctors in China who are speaking out against the use of endangered species... are just accepting the truth that all credible evidence shows. For example, that rhino horn cannot cure cancer.’
He praised President Xi for the steps aimed at halting the domestic ivory trade, but added: ‘We know the illegal wildlife trade cannot be solved by governments alone. Only we as consumers can put the wildlife traffickers out of business, by ending our demand for their products.’
Last year it was reported that William said he wanted the ivory kept in the Royal Collection to be removed and destroyed.