The Duke of Cambridge confirms regulated hunting for wildlife conservation

Speaking exclusively in an interview for ITV News, H.R.H. Prince William said, commercial hunting could positively impact efforts to save endangered species. He highlighted that the argument for regulated, properly controlled hunting tourism is, that the money goes back to support conservation activities.

To watch the interview, please click on the picture above.

“There is a place for commercial hunting in Africa as there is round the world. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”- he said.

“So when one (an animal) is infertile, he’s at the end of his life, if somebody out there wants to pay that money – and it wouldn’t be me – but if somebody did, then as long as that money goes back into protection of the species then it is a justifiable means of conserving species that are under serious threat,” he added.

The Prince also hinted that there might be a link between wildlife crime and terrorism, and called for “urgent action” to break any connection between the poaching of endangered species and the funding of acts of terror.

“In certain areas there is potential evidence and links… that are of a concern, that I think ,we should be taking more urgent action.”

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.

Animal rights organizations posted negative comments on Prince William’s opinion, and declared yesterday as ’sad day’: “What a very sad day to hear HRH Prince William announcing that trophy hunting is justifiable”- posted by the UK-based charity, Lion Aid.

The CIC welcomes the statement of H.R.H: Prince William, which reinstates trophy hunting in its rightful place in conservation.