Prince Harry to champion rhino conservation in 'second home' Botswana

He said: "I've been lucky enough to visit Botswana for more than 20 years and am incredibly fortunate to be able to call it my second home.

"Being patron of RCB is an opportunity to give something back to a country that has given so much to me.

"It's about time we start celebrating and supporting the countries that are taking the lead in conservation."

Rhinos, described by Harry as "one of Africa's most iconic species", are hunted for their horns. Poaching could make them extinct in 10 years, the RCB said.

Harry joined an RCB operation to fit electronic tracking devices to critically endangered black rhinos in Botswana in September.

Harry helped to clear thorn bushes from around sedated rhinos so that tracking devices could be fitted, monitored the animals' breathing and heart rate, administered oxygen, covered rhinos' eyes to protect them and helped to keep the animals cool with water.

It is all part of the work needed to protect rhinos and maintain biodiversity that they depend on to survive in the wilderness.

Despite their size, rhinos have no defences against bullets and high-powered weapons.

RCB director Martin 'Map' Ives said: "Prince Harry has seen at first-hand the cruel and senseless damage inflicted on these endangered animals by poachers.

"I know that His Royal Highness's support for our work will make a real difference to rhino conservation. We are hugely grateful for the work and support Prince Harry has already extended to RCB, and look forward to working with him in the future as our patron.

"Across Africa, rhinos are being poached for their horns at a rate that could make them extinct in the wild within 10 years.

"It's a senseless trade; rhino horn has no proven medicinal value. Even so, demand is increasing. Today rhino horn is worth more than gold."

RCB was set up in 2014 to monitor and protect black and white rhinos it helps rescue from poaching hotspots across southern Africa and move to Botswana.