Prince William: The EU must take tougher stance on poaching

OHMYGOSSIP — Prince William has spoken out in support of a campaign to get the European Union to take a tougher stance against poaching.

The 33-year-old royal has joined a campaign for the EU to “get their house in order” when it comes to the illegal trade, which sees approximately 2,500 wildlife products seized throughout the member countries every year.

According to the Daily Express newspaper, he said: “Our children should not live in a world without elephants, tigers, pangolins and rhinos. Enough is enough. We are not asking for your money.

“We are asking for your voice and your attention. We are asking you to join our side. It’s time to choose between critically endangered species and the criminals who kill them for money.”

Experts claim the official figures are only the tip of the iceberg and estimate that those items seized only represent around 10 per cent or less of the total amount of illegal products being smuggled through Europe.

According to those calculations, the real figure could be in excess of 25,000 every year while shocking figures released by the wildlife charity, the Born Free Foundation show that staggering numbers of tigers, rhinos, elephants and other endangered species are being illegally slaughtered so that they can be used for high-value items such as medicine, food or sold to be kept as pets.

The charity is now attempting to pressure the EU to impose an action plan with measurable targets to reduce the illegal trade, with the Prince supporting their argument as a keen activist against poaching.