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Prince William calls for crackdown on illegal wildlife trade at end of China tour

Prince William has said China must unite with the UK in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade.

Speaking at the end of his tour of China, the Duke of Cambridge said the "vicious" trade in elephant ivory was "our common enemy" and called for greater international cooperation against the practice.

However, footage shown in an area of an elephant sanctuary that William did not see, appears to show the animals being subjected to cruelty and forced to perform for crowds' entertainment.

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'Animal cruelty' unseen by William during China visit

This footage may embarass Prince William, who was in China to fight against the illegal wildlife trade and protect elephants.

But in the same animal sanctuary he visited, but unseen by him, one area is said to house elephants which are made to perform for visitors' amusement.

There are allegations of mistreatment in the training process, in which the animals are made to spin and play football.

ITV News' Royal Editor Tim Ewart reports:

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