Somebody is royally pissed off with ivory.

The Independent on Sunday reports that Britain’s Prince William remarked to famous primate researcher Jane Goodall that he would 

“like to see all the ivory owned by Buckingham Palace destroyed.”

If he follows through, Prince William’s initiative could be quite a smashing event. The Royal Family owns around 1,200 items.

Conservationists and activists are praising the Prince’s stance. Dr Paula Kahumbu, executive director of Kenyan-based charity Wildlife Direct stated: 

“Ninety nine per cent of ivory that is in people’s hands comes from elephants being gunned down. Handing it in shows: ‘I’m going to wash my hands of this despicable business.’ It shows the royals are not above taking a practical, personal action. It would probably result in similar support from other countries.”

Last Thursday London hosted the Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade where 46 countries agreed to toughen restrictions on poachers and illegal trading. A declaration was created that emphasizes cleaning up corruption and focusing on enforcement.

Prince William and his brother attended along with celebrities David Beckham and Jackie Chan (kick some poacher butt, Jackie!).

While the fight against elephant’s ivory poaching escalates, the international effort comes at a time when, according to the Guardian, other species are under attack.  The rhinoceros is seriously threatened as the price of its horn has raised to $60,000 a kilo. That’s more than gold or cocaine.

Rhino horn‘s high demand is, in part, because it is thought to have healing powers. It has been used, along with other animal parts, in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for centuries.

Still, Prince William’s stance is a welcome one. It will take more than destroying the family’s ivory to save the elephant or rhino,no doubt. But such an action provides a good example for how we should treat animals. Way to use your royal influence, Willy!