Currently on their summer break, the Prince and Princess of Wales are closely following news related to causes dear to their hearts. On Friday, Prince William shared news from the official social media account of the Rhino Man documentary. The announcement stated that the documentary is a finalist in the Jackson Wild Media Awards and expressed gratitude for the support received over the years. Prince William congratulated the RHINO MAN team on X (formerly known as Twitter), praising the importance of the story being told and its recognition. He also mentioned United for Wildlife, his taskforce, and used the hashtag #endwildlifecrime. In June, Prince William was accompanied by his aunt, the Duchess of Edinburgh, at the documentary premiere held by United for Wildlife at Battersea Power Station in London.
The movie centers around the unfortunate killing of Anton Mzimba by wildlife traffickers. It showcases the training of the upcoming South African wildlife rangers and emphasizes their crucial role in safeguarding rhinos from poachers and wildlife criminals. Anton held the position of head of ranger services at the Timbavati private game reserve, situated in the north-east of South Africa, near Kruger National Park. He tragically lost his life last year when he was shot outside his residence.
Regarding the documentary, William expressed that it serves as a stark reminder of the daily dangers faced by rangers worldwide as they protect the natural world from international criminal organizations profiting illegally from wildlife. He takes pride in seeing Anton Mzimba’s life and legacy acknowledged in Rhino Man.
William emphasized that dealing with this heinous crime cannot rest solely on the shoulders of rangers; it requires a comprehensive response and collaboration throughout the entire chain of criminal activity, not just at the frontline.
That’s why, in 2014, William, a devoted conservation advocate and a father of three, established United for Wildlife with the Royal Foundation. This initiative aims to safeguard endangered species from the illegal wildlife trade through the concerted efforts of its global financial and transport taskforces, as well as a broader network of partners. The goal is to ensure that those involved in wildlife crime face a robust and coordinated international response, similar to the approach taken for serious and organized crimes.
