Editorial photo #340972 Human Interest

Duke of Cambridge for United For Wildlife

United for Wildlife, a collaboration of seven international conservation organisations convened by The Duke of Cambridge, has teamed up with the Angry Birds Friends game to raise awareness of the critical threat to wildlife posed by illegal poaching. The collaboration will raise awareness among the estimated 200 million Angry Birds players worldwide that some species are being illegally hunted to the brink of extinction. The project is part of United for Wildlife's aim to encourage a new generation to be part of a movement that says no to poached ivory and rhino horn, and other animal parts. Rovio Entertainment, the makers of Angry Birds, have created a week-long tournament which will run from 17th November featuring animated Pangolins a species of scaly ant-eaters living in Asia and Africa which are now one of the most critically endangered animals on the planet due to illegal hunting. This partnership with Rovio Entertainment is one part of United for Wildlife's campaign to engage young people with the illegal wildlife trade message through existing digital platforms such as social media and the online gaming industry. The Angry Birds online audience has a vast global reach, especially in countries where the demand for illegal wildlife products is high. This initiative follows a successful partnership between United for Wildlife and the virtual reality game Runescape in July this year, which saw players engage with virtual Rhinos within the game to learn about the United for Wildlife campaign.