In Wake of Cecil the Lion Killing, Delta Airlines Bans Animal Trophy Shipments

A DIFFERENT KIND OF BLOG

We often write blogs about airlines in terms of flights and service to popular private yacht charter destinations, but this post will deviate to highlight a move which we applaud. Cecil the Lion and Cecil’s Law.

DELTA AIRLINE RESPONSE

In response to the global outcry after the tragic news of the killing of Cecil the lion, Delta Airlines has announced that it will no longer allow the shipment of big game hunting trophies on any of its flights, around the globe.

Beloved lion celebrity, Cecil

The Airline released this official statement:

“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.”

AIRLINES BANNING TROPHY KILLS

Other air carriers including Air France, KLM, Iberia, IAG Cargo, Singapore Airlines and Qantas have also stated that they also intend to ban the transport of trophy-hunting kills.

CECIL THE LION

Cecil the Lion, a popular animal at the Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, is an icon for conservation efforts.  He was killed by Walter James Palmer, a Minnesota dentist in early July, after being lured out of the protection of the national park.  Cecil wore a tracking collar and scientists at the University of Oxford had been following and studying him since 2008.

OUR OPINION

It was wrong to kill Cecil – our opinion. According to the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force, it was also illegal. The government of Zimbabwe is seeking to extradite Palmer to answer for his actions.

COMPANY PRESIDENT COMMENTS

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters, supports the decision made by Delta and other airlines to ban animal trophy shipments.

“Back in April, a ban was initiated by South African Airways, and then joined by Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways,” said Sheeder. “Cecil’s killing has created a global outcry, and if there is any good to come from Cecil’s death, it is the heightened awareness of our need to protect our natural resources. We applaud Delta and the other airlines for their new policy banning animal trophy shipments.”

SHEEDER CONCLUDES

“We live in an era of dwindling wildlife. Our own yachting industry is working to safeguard our reefs and vanishing marine life. The same safeguards are critical for all threatened species, both in the sea and on land. Big-game trophy hunting does not and should never again hold the allure it may have had in Teddy Roosevelt’s day.”

UPDATE

Delta Airlines officially joined by American Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin. Per sumofus.org, British Airways, Air France, KLM, Singapore Airways, Lufthansa, Air Emirates, Iberia Airlines, IAG Cargo and Qantas banned the transport of animal trophies.

From The New York Times, this ban initiated with South African Airways in April, and Emirates, Lufthansa and British Airways later joined. These airlines pledged not to carry big game trophies, including elephants, rhinos, lions and tigers as cargo.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Should Big Game Trophy Hunting Be Banned?   Fill out our online form and let us know how you feel.  As our thanks, we will send you an eco-totebag to who that you are an Eco-hero!  Click https://www.1800yachtcharters.com/book-now-contact-us/

This entry was posted in News Educational and tagged trophy hunting, tracking collar, University of Oxford, Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, Airlines, Cecil the Lion, Conservation Efforts, Walter J. Palmer, dentist kills lion

About Jana Sheeder

Jana Sheeder, President of 1-800 Yacht Charters. Providing The Superyacht Experience(R) since 1976. Private luxury yacht charter vacations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, South Pacific, South Florida, Miami and The Keys, Italian Rivera, Belize. Megayacht charter company focused on generosity, Pay it Forward, Random Acts of Kindness, Giftivism, giving back to the ocean, to the needy, and the environment with every superyachting charter. Providing eco-friendly alternatives while on yacht charters and known for 6-star customer service, experience, and generosity. One of the original yacht charter companies.
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