Rhino poaching increased by 5000 per cent between 2007 and 2012.

World leaders meet to save elephants, rhinos and tigers from extinction

Leaders from 50 countries are in London today for a conference aimed at bringing about an end to the illegal wildlife trade.

The summit, which is being hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron, is focused on the slaughter of elephants, rhinos and tigers.

It aims to support sustainable livelihoods for communities affected by illegal wildlife trade, reduce the demand for illegal wildlife products, such as ivory, and strengthen law enforcement and the prosecution of those involved in the killing of animals and the trafficking of the illegal products subsequently obtained.

Foreign Secretary William Hague, speaking at the conference earlier today, said: "It is no exaggeration to say that we are facing an unprecedented crisis: Tens of thousands of elephants were killed last year; over a thousand rhinos lost their lives to poaching and trafficking; and tigers and many other species are under ever greater threat.

"But this is not just an environmental crisis. This is now a global criminal industry, ranked alongside drugs, arms and people trafficking.

"It drives corruption and insecurity, and undermines efforts to cut poverty and promote sustainable development, particularly in African countries.

"There is also anecdotal evidence that shows how insurgent or terrorist groups could benefit from the trade."

He added: "At the end of this Conference we will adopt an ambitious and powerful declaration that demonstrates to the world we will not tolerate this abhorrent trade."

The conference was initiated by The Prince of Wales who has attended the event with his son The Duke of Cambridge.

The two men produced a YouTube video ahead of the conference, outlining the need for action.

Prince Charles said: "The destruction of these endangered animals will diminish us all."

He said 30,000 elephants were killed last year, and that 62 per cent of the African forest elephants had been killed within the last decade.

"If this rate continues, the forest elephant will be extinct within 10 years."

The ivory trade has more than doubled within the past six years, while rhino poaching increased by 5,000 per cent between 2007 and 2012.

One rhino is killed every 10 hours while rhino horn is valued more highly on the black market, than gold, platinum, diamonds or cocaine.

The Western Black Rhino was declared extinct in 2013 – without action, all species of rhino may be extinct within our lifetime.

In the past century tiger numbers in Asia have dramatically declined from around 100,000 to an estimated 3,200. Three out of nine tiger species are now extinct.

"It is shocking that future generations may know a world without these magnificent animals," said Prince William.

At least 1,000 park rangers have been killed in the past decade, while trying to protect the animals from poachers.

"We must treat the illegal wildlife trade as a battle," said The Prince of Wales. "The rising and apparently insatiable demand, much of it from Asia, has proven and economic incentive for trafficking.

"Organised bands of criminals are slaughtering elephants, rhinoceroses and tigers, as well as other species, in a way that has never been seen before, pushing them to the brink of extinction."

See the YouTube video here.