London, August 8 : Prince Harry’s former girlfriend Chelsy Davy has denied claims her father’s connection to rhino poaching in Zimbabwe.

Speaking in her first ever-public statement, Chelsy said her father, one of the shareholders in the Bubye Conservancy, was wrongly accused of having connections to a poaching and trading cartel.

"I have never made an open statement to the press but we, as a family cannot sit back and watch my father be vilified by a complete fabrication of the truth," The Telegraph quoted her as saying.

"Every member of our family loves Africa, its people and its wildlife.

"My father has been involved in conservation since I can remember, few men are more passionate and practical when it comes to protecting and promoting wildlife," she added.

She further said: "All allegations about my father being involved in poaching are absolutely untrue and most unfair." (ANI)