Sustainable Wildlife: Ethical Behavior on the Part of Large Corporations Makes a Huge Difference

I’ll bet that the vast majority of the people reading this sign several petitions each month in solidarity with ideas that we deem worthwhile. Here’s one I just signed for a cause we don’t hear enough about: putting an end to trophy hunting of large animals.

Bringing an end to poaching isn’t easy, due to the financial incentive associated with things like elephant tusks, rhinoceros horns, shark fins, etc. Sometimes real creativity is required to hamper these cruel and disgusting activities. By following the link above, you’re joining me and hundreds of thousands of others in asking Delta Airlines (the only U.S. airline with direct service to South Africa) to refuse to carry these items, making the world a bit more humane and compassionate.

From Change.Org:

Last year, more than a thousand rhinos were poached in South Africa, elephant populations have plummeted 66% in just five years, and the export of lion “trophies” has increased ten-fold–hunters bringing home animals’ heads and bodies to stuff and mount. In response to such threats, South African Airways has declared an immediate, worldwide ban on transporting any hunting trophies made from rhinos, lions, elephants, and tigers. Now I need your support to ask Delta Air Lines to match this policy and refuse to transport exotic animal hunting trophies!

South African Airways made it clear this ban applies to all such hunting trophies, without exception, “even if the shipper has a valid permit issued by the relevant authorities.” “With the depletion to near extinction of wildlife that once roamed in prolific numbers,” there is no justifying the slaughter of such incredible animals for sport and vanity.

But for South African Airways’ embargo to have the most effective result in saving animals’ lives, it is imperative that the hunting trophy transport ban is honored across all air carriers.
As one of the world’s largest airlines, and the only U.S. carrier with direct service to South Africa, Delta Air Lines is in a key position to help protect these and other vulnerable wild animal populations from further hunting and poaching pressures.

By refusing to play a role in the wildlife trafficking supply chain, Delta Air Lines can demonstrate the strong and ethical leadership that has made it such a successful and respected company.