- Title: Britain's Prince William calls for end to illegal wildlife trafficking
- Date: 17th November 2016
- Summary: ****WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM, SAYING: "China has already signalled a total ban, the USA has instituted one and other nations including the United Kingdom are considering it. We know now what previous generations did not - ivory treated as a commodity is the fuel of extinction. 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." JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE, PRINCE WILLIAM, SAYING: "We know that we aren't moving fast enough to keep up with the crisis. Rhinos, elephants, pangolin, lions - they are all still being killed in horrifying numbers. The Great Elephant Census published this summer confirmed our worst fears about the shocking 30 percent decline in the African elephant population in just seven years. So while we've made progress, the truth is we are still falling behind. A betting man would still bet on extinction." VICE PRESIDENT OF VIETNAM, DANG THI NGOC THINH, LISTENING TO SPEECH VARIOUS OF REPRESENTATIVES LISTENING PRINCE WILLIAM POSING FOR PHOTOS WITH COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVES PRINCE WILLIAM SHAKING HANDS WITH THINH
- Embargoed: 2nd December 2016 12:41
- Keywords: Prince William Vietnam Hanoi wildlife traficking
- Location: HANOI, VIETNAM
- City: HANOI, VIETNAM
- Country: Vietnam
- Topics: Environment,Nature/Wildlife
- Reuters ID: LVA00258U2AMF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Britain's Prince William urged representatives from 54 countries attending a wildlife conference in Hanoi, Vietnam on Thursday (November 17) to step up the fight against illegal trade of endangered animals.
"China has already signalled a total ban, the USA has instituted one, and other nations including the United Kingdom are considering it. We know now what previous generations did not - ivory treated as a commodity is the fuel of extinction. 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 said.
He then challenged the countries to move faster in securing the safety of the endangered species as studies has shown drastic drop in their population.
"We know that we aren't moving fast enough to keep up with the crisis. Rhinos, elephants, pangolin, lions - they are all still being killed in horrifying numbers. The Great Elephant Census published this summer confirmed our worst fears about the shocking 30 per cent decline in the African elephant population in just seven years. So while we've made progress, the truth is we are still falling behind. A betting man would still bet on extinction," the prince added.
The Duke of Cambridge is the President of United for Wildlife, an umbrella body of seven conservation organisation united to end illegal wildlife trade.
The International Wildlife Trade Conference (IWTC) will end on Friday (November 18) after discussions on eradicating the market for illegal wildlife products, strengthening law enforcement and sustainable livelihoods and economic development. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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