Why Prince William Is Calling One Person's Prison Sentence A 'Victory'

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is involved in dozens of causes, but protecting the environment and its natural resources has always been a key priority. In 2020, he started an inspiring new project — the Earthshot Prize — designed to "incentivize change and help to repair our planet over the next 10 years," per the Earthshot website. 

William has also been a vocal opponent of wildlife trafficking. In 2013, he organized United for Wildlife, which brought together the world's leading wildlife and conservation charities to protect endangered species around the world, according to the royal family's website. In addition, the prince is patron of Tusk, a charity that works to protect Africa's wildlife. He also launched the Tusk Conservation Awards in 2013, which honors people working towards conservation. "It is unfathomable to imagine [that] children who have been born in the past couple of months may grow up in a world in which rhinoceros have ceased to live in the wild," William said during the ceremony, per HuffPost.

William has also called for justice regarding crimes linked to wildlife trafficking. He spoke out after the heartbreaking loss of Anton Mzimba, a head ranger at the Timbavati Nature Preserve who was reportedly killed due to his efforts in preventing ivory smuggling. And now, the future king is praising the conviction and sentencing of a man responsible for the illegal poaching of hundreds of animals in Africa. 

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, is overjoyed that a wildlife trafficker has received a tough prison sentence in the United States. Moazu Kromah was sentenced to 63 months in prison for poaching two endangered wildlife species, according to a statement from the U.S. States Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York. Kromah — who was arrested in Uganda — was charged with "conspiring to traffic in millions of dollars in rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory." He and his associates illegally poached more than 35 rhinoceros and more than 100 elephants.

William praised the punishment handed down to Kromah. "Today's sentencing demonstrates both what is possible when a coordinated international response is brought to bear against the illegal wildlife trade, and why it is essential," the prince said in a statement to People.

William added that the outcome is "further proof that we have the tools to combat this insidious crime and is testament to the power of international collaboration." He also commended all of the people involved in the investigation, arrest and prosecution of Kromah. "Thanks to their perseverance, hundreds of endangered animals and the communities that live alongside them have been protected, sending the strongest possible message that together we can defeat the illegal wildlife trade," he explained.