Royals

Prince William to make plea for wildlife protection on Chinese television

Prince William says the "world must work together" to save endangered species.

Prince William is a wildlife warrior that would make our very own Steve Irwin proud and now he’s taking his battle to save endangered animals to China.

The Duke of Cambridge will make an impassioned address to millions on the Chinese television programme Let’s Talk in October, Kensington Palace confirmed.

The forthcoming engagement was announced via the Palace’s official Twitter account on Monday, explaining: “The Duke has accepted an October invitation to talk on Chinese TV about the urgent need to protect wildlife.”

In a bid to reach the younger generation of China – a country with a thriving black market trade of various farcical animal remedies including ground tiger bones, ivory tusks and the blood of endangered species – William, 33, intends to “explain how people around the world must work together to save some of the planet’s most critically endangered species before they are lost forever,” the palace said in a statement Monday.

Prince William meets a rescued elephant called ‘Ran Ran’ at the Xishuangbanna Elephant Sanctuary on March, 2015 in China.

“He considers this issue an important test for his generation’s ability to solve the much more complex global challenges it will face in the decades to come.”

William helped found United for Wildlife in 2013 and along with his father, Prince Charles and brother, Prince Harry is a vocal advocate for the protection of vulnerable wildlife.

The Duke raised the issue of animal protection with the President of China when they met in Beijing earlier this year and has been encouraged by China’s willingness to play its part in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

Duke of Cambridge meets with Chinese President, Xi Jinping during his March, 2015 visit to Beijing.

It is believed that Prince William will make the visit to China solo and will leave his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and the couple’s two children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte at home in Anmer Hall, Norfolk.

VIDEO: Prince William talks about parenthood and life back at work after the birth of Princess Charlotte.

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