The Duke of Cambridge has unveiled plans to help the global transport industry crack down on illegal wildlife trafficking routes.
A declaration is being signed by 40 companies at Buckingham Palace, with the aim of raising standards to prevent criminals moving their kill.
It is the culmination of a year’s worth of meetings and research.
Prince William said the Buckingham Palace Declaration was a “game-changer in the race against extinction”.
Its first signatories are 40 bosses of airlines, shipping firms, port operators, customs agencies, intergovernmental organisations and conservation charities.
The duke, who is passionate about wildlife conservation, invited any other company in the industry to sign up to the declaration and “play their part in the fight against the poaching crisis”.
“If we allow current trends to continue, there will be no African elephants or rhinos left in the wild by the time my daughter Charlotte reaches her 25th birthday,” he said.
“But this crisis can be stopped. We know where the animals are that we need to protect. We know where the markets for wildlife products are and where awareness, education, and law enforcement need to be improved.
“And with the Buckingham Palace Declaration being signed today, global transport leaders are saying we know many of the ways wildlife products are being moved from killing field to market place.”
‘Not too late’
Lord Hague of Richmond, who unveiled the plans alongside the prince, said the declaration would target the “chain between suppliers and consumers”, adding the issue was a “moral imperative for us all”.
“It is nearly too late to save our rhinos, elephants, tigers, and other iconic species, but it is not quite too late,” he said.
“It will require our combined efforts, resolve, and intensified determination – and that is what this declaration is about.”
The declaration contains 11 commitments, focusing on information sharing, staff training and resource sharing between international companies and organisations.
It is the work of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce – which was convened by the prince and chaired by former home secretary Lord Hague.
Representatives from transport firms and bodies based in China, USA, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, the UK and Denmark, were involved.
Prince William is president of United for Wildlife – an alliance between seven of the world’s most influential conservation organisations and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.
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