Rescued elephant Ran Ran shows how wildlife protection works in China

Prince William feeds Ran Ran at Xishuangbanna sanctuary in southern China. Image by John Stillwell/PA Wire

Britain’s Prince William has discovered that when it comes to Chinese elephants, carrots are their favourite food. He found himself feeding Ran Ran, a 13-year-old rescued female Asian elephant, basket after basket filled with the vegetable during a fact-finding trip to learn how the animals are surviving in the wild.

The second in line to the British throne appeared fascinated to meet the animal who was discovered in a jungle river in 2005 with a terrible rear leg wound caused by a trap.

He rubbed her trunk and gave her a scratch between the eyes as Xiong Chaoyong, the animal’s papa or keeper, handed carrots from a basket to the Duke which were gratefully taken by Ran Ran.

A generous William kept feeding and at one point the elephant’s mouth was crammed fully while she still had her trunk wrapped around another four carrots.

Prince William with Ran Ran at Xishuangbanna sanctuary in southern China. Image by John Stillwell/PA Wire

The Duke of Cambridge told Ran Ran “you’re going to get indigestion” and after another basket full of carrots was quickly eaten, added: “You’re going to get a runny tummy.”

The second in line to the throne was visiting China’s only elephant sanctuary in Yunnan province, where around 250 animals still live in the wild.

They have come into conflict with rural communities, who have tried to stop elephants raiding their crops, but have now tried a different approach by changing the crops they produce.

The illegal trade in ivory is something William has campaigned over – through his organisation United for Wildlife – in order to raise awareness among the Chinese, who are a huge consumer of the product.

A royal source has said that during William’s talks with China’s president Xi Jinping earlier this week, wildlife protection and the illegal trade in ivory was raised by the Duke.

(Press Association)