The Humane Society International (HSI) has called on all international airlines to ban the shipment of hunting trophies as freight after the killing of Cecil the lion in Zimbabwe.
Last week, Qatar Airways, DHL Express, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, United Airlines and American Airlines all banned the transport of lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies as cargo.
None of the carriers gave exact reasons as to why they had enforced the bans, but Delta was subjected to an online petition to ban such shipments.
HSI is calling on all 250 international airlines to stop wild trophy carriage. The animal protection charity is also urging parcel carriers to no longer be the, “get away vehicle for unethical trophy hunting”.
HSI director of wildlife, Teresa Telecky, says airlines must, “wash their hands of this horrific, cruel and wasteful hobby once and for all”.
Virgin Atlantic Cargo has banned trophies. It says it is time to adopt a strict ethical cargo policy. For South African trophy bans see page eight.
