Delta Air Lines will no longer allow the shipment of big game trophies.
The ban was announced by the airline giant in a statement Monday afternoon. Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways soon joined South African Airways, who first initiated the ban in April, pledging not to carry big game trophies, including elephants rhinos, lions and tigers as cargo.
“Effective immediately, Delta will officially ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide as freight,” the company said. “Delta will also review acceptance policies of other hunting trophies with appropriate government agencies and other organizations supporting legal shipments.”
The announcement comes following the killing of Cecil the lion by an American dentist during a hunt in early July. Zimbabwean authorities have said the hunt of the 13-year-old famed lion was illegal.
“Prior to this ban, Delta’s strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species,” Delta statement said. “Delta will also review acceptance policies of other hunting trophies with appropriate government agencies and other organizations supporting legal shipments.”
The Humane Society of the United States immediately called on other major airlines to follow in Delta’s footsteps.
A handful of other airlines — Air France, KLM, Iberia, IAG Cargo, Singapore Airlines and Qantas — signaled last week they too would ban the shipment of trophy-hunting kills.
South Africa’s hunting industry is the biggest in Africa, estimated to be worth around $675 million.
(h/t New York Times)
