Prince William says African population pressures are affecting continent’s wildlife conservation efforts, critics say remarks are “underpinned by race and class prejudice”

Prince William is under fire after commenting on the effects of people on wild habitats in Africa. Critics say the British royal family is prohibited from commenting on the matter.

The second heir to the British throne made the comments at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Tuesday, November 23.

He explained to the assembly that there is a growing danger on the continent of “Africa’s wildlife and wild spaces due to the human population” and that this is causing a “huge challenge for environmentalists, as it is. is the case worldwide ”.

The Duke of Cambridge went on to say: ‘It is imperative that the natural world be protected not only for its contribution to our economies, jobs and livelihoods, but for the health, well-being and future of humanity. “

This isn’t the first time William has asserted what critics call his population control theory. In 2017, he made very similar statements in a word at the same Tusk Trust charity gala.

“Africa’s rapidly growing human population is expected to more than double by 2050 – a staggering increase of three and a half million people per month,” he noted.

“There is no doubt that this increase is putting tremendous pressure on wildlife and habitat. Urbanization, infrastructure development, culture – all good things in and of themselves, but they will have a terrible impact if we don’t start planning and taking action now.

William continued, “We’re going to have to work a lot harder and think a lot deeper if we’re going to make sure that humans and the other animal species we share this planet with can continue to coexist.”

However, many called it out for its targeting of Africa, while other continents like Europe and Asia have higher population densities. A UK-based reporter took to Twitter to explain some facts for the royal to consider.

She tweeted: “Africa isn’t even in the two most populous continents – it’s Asia, then (surprise, surprise) EUROPE. The UK is also one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Prince William must mind his own affairs and bring his neo-colonial mindset elsewhere. “

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She continued: “Population density in Asia: 100 per square kilometer Population density in Europe: 72.9 per square kilometer Population density in Africa: 36.4 per square kilometer Prince William, with two children and one on the way : it is clear that Africa has too many children here. “

Another Twitter follower urged William to pay more attention to what Armstrong said is the effect of Europeans on reducing African wildlife. He said: “By far the greatest loss of wildlife in Africa occurred in the early 1900s, when Europeans arrived with guns and hunted across the continent. To blame African civilians is to totally ignore the history of Africa.

Dr John Njenga Karugia, lecturer and researcher at Goethe University in Frankfurt, equated Prince William’s opinion with “sewage”.

“Sir. William has no moral authority to say anything about Africa or about Africans and their lives,” he tweeted. He should spend his time reading good history books, to raise her many children and to spend time with her very large family scattered across the world.

“As Equals” editor Eliza Anyangwe agrees with the critics. She castigates Williams’ remarks saying it really comes down to race and gender.

“It should be obvious to everyone that the panic over population growth in the black, brown and indigenous regions of the world is underpinned by prejudices of race and class,” she writes. “It should be just as obvious that what every woman needs is the freedom to choose for herself if, when and how many children she will have.”

“If, despite years of talking about conservation, Prince William did not consider that his concern for African wildlife could stigmatize African women, the time may have come for him to do so,” she concludes.

There has been no formal remark from the office of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

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