Delta the latest airline to stop shipping exotic animal trophies
Though it’s one of many airlines that do not transport animal carcasses, the move earned Delta a chunk of (mostly) good PR.
In the wake of a national conversation around trophy hunting, Delta has announced that it will no longer ship rare animal carcasses.
The ban includes lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo trophies.
Delta’s announcement comes after intense internet outrage that erupted when dentist Walter Palmer was revealed to be the person who killed Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe. The lion was lured from a national park and killed. Zimbabwean officials have detained Palmer’s guides and called for the Minnesota dentist’s extradition. [Sign up to get notified of upcoming conferences, workshops and webinars.]
Delta issued the following statement Monday:
Effective immediately, Delta will officially ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide as freight. Prior to this ban, Delta’s strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species. Delta will also review acceptance policies of other hunting trophies with appropriate government agencies and other organizations supporting legal shipments.
Reactions have been largely positive on Twitter.
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