Major US airlines stand up for wild animals

04/08/2015

Days after the devastating news that Cecil the lion was killed during an illegal hunt in Zimbabwe, Delta Airlines in the US announced that it will ban the shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo trophies worldwide.

"We hope these airlines’ actions will send a signal to businesses and tourists around the world that the cruel exploitation of wildlife in the name of entertainment must end"

Shortly after, United and American Airlines have released similar statements.

“We welcome the news that Delta, United, and American Airlines will ban the shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide. As the tragic killing of Cecil has shown, trophy hunting causes huge suffering for wild animals. We hope these airlines’ actions will send a signal to businesses and tourists around the world that the cruel exploitation of wildlife in the name of entertainment must end,” says Priscilla Ma, our U.S. Executive Director.

The movement to protect wild animals from tourism exploitation continues to grow around the world. Recently Australia's Environment Minister Greg Hunt announced a ban on the importation of lion trophies from Africa, A step in the right direction, we hope the Minister's example will inspire Australians from all walks of life to take action to protect wildlife from cruel exploitation in tourism entertainment.