Future king honours fallen conservation heroes in emotional message
Prince William paused his family holiday this week to deliver a deeply
emotional message in honour of World Ranger Day, paying tribute to the rangers
who have lost their lives protecting the planet’s most vulnerable wildlife and
natural habitats.
Sharing a moving video and statement on the official social media accounts of
the Prince and Princess of Wales, William expressed his sorrow and admiration
for the brave individuals who work on the frontlines of conservation—often in
silence and at great personal risk.
“The Every Ranger remembered. Every legacy carried forward,” the statement
began.
“This World Ranger Day, we pause to honour those who lost their lives
protecting wildlife and wild places. Their courage continues to shape the
future of conservation. We honour their sacrifice and recognise real and
ongoing risks faced by those on the frontline of conservation. Their stories
matter. Their mission lives on.”
In his personal message, the Prince shared a startling statistic: “1,400
rangers have died in the last ten years. That’s about two a week. They’re
unseen and unheard of.”
He continued: “So many of these cases get forgotten about, they don’t get
reported, people don’t see them. We all care about our natural world, but we
sometimes lose that connection with what it’s really like living and working
in that space. This is now one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet—and
really, it shouldn’t be.”
World Ranger Day, observed annually on July 31, commemorates rangers who have
died in the line of duty and recognises the ongoing commitment of those who
continue the work.
The post included a tribute to the names of fallen rangers from the past
decade, highlighting the heavy cost of protecting nature. William’s heartfelt
words serve as a powerful reminder of the human sacrifices behind global
conservation efforts and reflect his long-standing commitment to environmental
causes.
