According to an article in National Geographic, initiatives to protect elephants and other endangered species were highlighted during Prince William’s recent visit to the United States. While in Washington, DC, the prince publicized the launch of a royal task force through United for Wildlife that will coordinate with companies in the transportation industry to evaluate the industry’s role in wildlife trafficking. The task force will encourage transportation companies, such as shipping businesses and airlines, to institute a zero-tolerance policy against wildlife trafficking.
In his statements, the prince cited that the wholesale street price of ivory in China and Southeast Asia has grown from $5 to $2,100 per kilogram over the past 25 years. He stated that this price increase is linked to the recent rise in elephant poaching. In the article, National Geographic notes that elephant killings declined after African elephant ivory trafficking was globally banned in 1989, but started to rise again in 2007.