I don’t rate elephant’s survival odds, admits Wills

PRINCE William has spoken out on the plight of the African elephant, warning that despite international efforts ‘a betting man would still bet on extinction’.

The second in line to the throne also called on the Government to sanction a total ban on domestic ivory trade in the UK in a bid to protect elephants.

William, speaking at an international conference on the illegal wildlife trade in Hanoi, Vietnam, said the animals were still being slaughtered in ‘horrifying numbers’ and called for an acceleration in efforts to tackle the crisis.

He said yesterday: ‘China has already signalled a total ban, the USA has instituted one, and other nations, including the United Kingdom, are considering it. Ivory is not something to be desired and when removed from an elephant it is not beautiful.

‘So, the question is: Why are we still trading it? We need governments to send a clear signal that trading in ivory is abhorrent.’

The Prince also said how countries need to outsmart ‘organised crime syndicates’ trading in ivory. He said: ‘So while we’ve made progress, the truth is we are still falling behind. A betting man would still bet on extinction.’

A recent census revealed a 30 per cent decline in the number of African elephants in seven years.