We can save more endangered species, says William at conservation awards

The Prince of Wales has said more endangered species can be saved despite conservation being “hard and often dangerous”, as he presented awards for African wildlife protection.

William attended the Tusk Conservation Awards on Wednesday evening, celebrating those on the front line protecting Africa’s wildlife, wild places and communities.

The prince is the royal patron of African wildlife conservation charity Tusk and helped to launch the first awards in 2013.

He met celebrity supporters including comedian John Bishop and former Arsenal footballer Mathieu Flamini after arriving at the ceremony at five-star hotel Raffles London at the Old War Office.

Since 2011, at least 565 African rangers have been killed in the line of duty, while only 50% of rangers have access to insurance and only 40% have adequate health and safety training.

William, dressed in black tie with a poppy attached, told the audience the “challenges facing our natural world have evolved dramatically” since the Tusk awards began 13 years ago.

He added that “we cannot forget that those who are among the most impacted by our changing climate are also at the forefront of protecting it” and “too many rangers pay the ultimate price on the front line of conservation”.

Discussing the award winners, the prince said: “May their achievements inspire us all to build on this momentum and go further.

“To believe that we can save more endangered species. That we can restore threatened habitats.”

William added: “Those working on the front lines of conservation are now contending not just with the illegal wildlife trade, but the growing impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, and its ripple effects on the ecosystems and communities that depend on them.

“This has demanded new approaches, adaptability and an extraordinary capacity for innovation in the face of increasingly complex challenges.”

He said: “We know conservation works. In Africa, the mountain gorilla population is on an upward trend. Black rhino numbers are increasing in Kenya, and in southern Africa, elephant populations are also recovering.

“But we know that conservation is hard and often dangerous. While significant strides are being made, organised crime continues to exploit and traffic protected wildlife.

“We must be on continual guard to ensure our endangered species are protected, and that hard-won progress is not reversed.”

The prince and Bishop discussed William’s recent appearance on the BBC’s Graham Norton Show to promote his annual global environmental initiative, the Earthshot Prize.

William joked to Bishop: “I could have done with someone like you there. I was looking for my John Bishop.”

Bishop told the prince: “What a great thing to do, to be able to feel comfortable enough to do that, because it came across great,” and William joked in response: “It’s amazing what a couple of vodka tonics can do for you.”

William also gave his views on Aston Villa to former French international midfielder Flamini, saying his favourite club had a “rebuild session” over the summer with many player departures and incomings.

Discussing Villa’s highly rated coach Unai Emery, who is reportedly close to agreeing a new contract with the club, the prince told Flamini: “I’m just hoping Unai Emery stays with us. I think we’ve nailed him down.

“He’s not just the manager of the team. He really cares about the tactics. He cares about the players, he cares about the staff.

“The vast majority of players under his tutelage have just progressed game by game and it’s wonderful to watch.”

William presented an award to Daniel Yiankere, security manager at Loisaba Conservancy in Kenya, who saluted the prince as he received his award.

The prince also presented awards to Kenyan frontline conservationist Raabia Hawa and Dr Colleen Begg, who founded a lion conservation programme in Mozambique.

Since being founded in 1990, Tusk has raised and deployed over £170 million to support 230 partner organisations and ranger teams in more than 30 African countries.

Through the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme, William works with Tusk to highlight the role of rangers and the need for greater support for them.

In November 2024, United for Wildlife, Tusk and the Game Rangers Association of Africa launched a five-year ranger welfare and standards initiative, which aims to provide 10,000 rangers across Africa with access to life insurance and broader welfare support.

Tusk supports a conservation portfolio investing around £15 million a year in locally led organisations in Africa.