The Duke of Cambridge is pushing for stronger action against the illegal poaching of the African rhino for their horns. Prince Williams told BBC News, "If we don't do something about them, it's going to be a tragic loss for everyone."
Prince William has lent royal support to Wildlife Charity Tusk Trust, which is run by Aspinall Foundation, a conservation charity.
Prince William said: "There's a massive need for education on poaching... rhinos are very vulnerable animals and I think a lot of people don't realize what happens and how rhino horn, or ivory, ends up in a particular area...I think [we need to] make people aware of how delicate and fragile these animals are, and how much damage we are doing to them and to the wildlife and natural ecosystem around them just by our neglect and ignorance," as repeated by BBC News
Just in 2012, more than 200 of the South African rhinos have been killed for their horns, which are considered by many as medicinal cures for diseases like cancer. There is no scientific evidence to back this assumption. The market for their horns is particularly large in Asia. The horns are earning illegal poachers and traders around $60,000 a kilo.
Prince William told BBC that the illegal trade and consequential murder of these wonderful animals is "ignorant, selfish and utterly wrong."
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are only around 18,000 black and white rhinos combined in Africa.
There have been talks about legalizing the trade of Rhino horns, by breeding them in conservations and cutting their horns without killing the animal and creating a legal market for the trading of horns. Some lawmakers are certain that such legislation will curb the number of poachers and also help increase the numbers of these endangered species. Veterinarians claim that trimming the horn of a rhino is not fatal as long as the tissues are kept intact, this process must be carried by professionals. An interview with a veterinarian regarding this legalization of trading rhino horns can be seen here.
