Prince William on hunting trip in Spain one day before launching wildlife campaign

Prince William has been blasted for going on a hunting holiday in Spain just before he launches a campaign to save endangered wildlife.

According to the Mirror, the prince is "gunning for game" on a hunting trip to shoot wild boar and stag at the exclusive 37,000-acre Finca La Garganta estate in rural Cordoba near Seville.

The property is owned by the Duke of Westminster, who is Britain's third richest man as well as being William's godfather.

The estate boasts six houses, a private railway station, and housing for 100 staff.

Packs of dogs are reportedly used to flush out wildlife for hunters to shoot.

William has been joined by his brother Prince Harry on the trip and, while they are not breaking any laws, one conservation expert called it "absolutely shocking", reports the Express.

The prince will attend a conference on the illegal wildlife trade at Lancaster House on Thursday, in a bid to highlight the horrifying rise in poaching of animals like rhino and elephant and to consider how it can be stopped.

Prince William and Prince Charles will be launching a campaign with the slogan "Let's Unite For Wildlife", with a joint video message being released on Sunday.

This will be followed up next week by the conference, and events at venues including the Zoological Society and Natural History Museum.

The brothers go shooting at the Spanish estate every year, but the timing of this trip has been deemed unfortunate.

A Kensington Palace spokesman declined to talk about the trip, but told the Daily Mail: "The Duke of Cambridge has for many years been a passionate advocate for endangered wildlife and has campaigned tirelessly to help stop the illegal poaching of rhino horn and elephant tusk.

"His track record in this area speaks for itself."

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