Prince William has made his first trip to Vietnam to help raise awareness about the illegal wildlife trade and protect endangered species from extinction.
On his first day in Hanoi, the royal met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and learnt more about traditional medicine and its links to the illegal wildlife trade during a dour of Hanoi’s Old Town.
Later, the Duke of Cambridge visited a local school where children are taught about conservation issues and the importance of wildlife conservation. There, he joined in with a class of eight-year-old students who were reading a book called I’m A Little Rhino – part of a wider education initiative aimed at reducing the demand for rhino horn.
Teresa Telecky, who works with animal protection agency Humane Society International and wrote the storybook, told Sky News they were “thrilled” Prince William was lending his voice to the fight against rhino poaching.
The royal’s two-day visit of Vietnam will include a session with global leaders at an international conference on illegal wildlife trade, which is due to take place on Thursday.
Wildlife conservation is a cause very close to the Prince’s heart and for several years now, he has worked to help protect endangered animals around the world.
In 2013, he helped found the United for Wildlife organisation, which brings together the leading wildlife charities all around the world in the battle to protect endangered species from going extinct.
“I believe passionately that we have a duty to prevent critically endangered species from being wiped out,” William said.
“If we get together, everywhere, we can preserve these animals so that they share our world with future generations. That’s what United for Wildlife is all about, and why I’m proud to be involved.”