article_snippet: Environmentalists involved in Prince William's China tour warned British diplomats not to let Prince William's visit a park where elephants perform circus tricks two months ago, The Mail on Sunday has learnt.
article_snippet: The Prince's tour – on which The Prince was accompanied by four press officers – ended in a PR disaster when The Prince visited a rescue centre at Wild Elephant Valley, only a few yards from an arena where elephants play football, dance and do tricks for tourists.
article_snippet: The degrading performances at Wild Elephant Valley that happen just yards from the rescue centre visited by Prince William's .
article_snippet: However when Prince William's was at the park, and was asked by Sky TV if Prince William's knew elephants were performing nearby, Prince William's seemed wrong-footed, hurrying away in silence as journalist Mark Stone called after Prince William's: 'The Chinese are using elephants to play football, your Royal Highness.'
article_snippet: It's basically a circus.'
article_snippet: A Kensington Palace spokesman added: 'A Kensington Palace spokesman goes without saying the Duke does not condone the performances, but the Duke recognises the incredible work Wild Elephant Valley has done to protect the elephant population.'
article_snippet: But Louise Rogerson, from the Elephant Asia Rescue and Survival Foundation, said: 'Tourists will flock to Wild Elephant Valley now.
article_snippet: Prince William's is indirectly supporting cruelty to elephants forced to take part in these circus performances.'
highlights_snippet: Warned it was only yards from arena where elephants do tricks for tourists .
  