Delta Airlines Knee Jerk

[Bean Counter]

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2015/08/03/delta-bans-animal-hunting-trophies-as-freight/?intcmp=hpff

Delta Air Lines announced Wednesday that it has banned shipment of exotic animal trophies as freight.

“Effective immediately, Delta will officially ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide as freight,” Delta said in a statement. “Prior to this ban, Delta’s strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species.”

Delta, the only U.S. carrier that serves South Africa directly, had been accepting hunting trophies if customers provided appropriate documentation to U.S. customs officials and if the animal in question was not a protected species. The move comes amid an outcry over the killing of the well-known lion Cecil by American hunter Walter Palmer, after the lion was lured out of a Zimbabwe wildlife reserve.

A Change.org petition launched by Chris Green, a Delta Diamond Medallion flier, received over 390,000 signatures and called for the airline to institute a ban.  Lufthansa and Emirates Airline already have similar policies in place and after  news of Cecil’s death, South African Airways also announced a policy refusing to transport exotic animal hunting trophies...

[pianoman9701]

I saw this. Revolting!

[Bean Counter]

I don't fly on them much, anyway.

[TheHunt]

I never fly with them unless it is a must.

[Johnb317]

Wonder where the African countries are going to get money for the parks and preserves now? 
Hate it when companies jump on the stupid wagon. 
This whole thing seems well orchestrated, I don't usually buy into conspiracy theories but.   

[KFhunter]

Idiots - Most the big trophy's are beyond their viable breeding age anyways and bring a lot of money to help keep anti-poaching park rangers out there.

Cecil was 13 years old, that's old for a lion. 

Most online sources say 3-8 yrs old average for a pride male on up to 14 for a very successful lion. 
Cecil was on his way out, and if he was that far out from his pride hitting a bait station he was probably run off already by a younger male.

[BNAElkhntr]

SAA recently rescinded their ban  now with all this false hoopla they will prob change their mind

[csaaphill]

Have to wonder does this cover National flights as well, just trophy animals as it says? So does that mean the game meat as well? Meaning someone fly's to say.... Montana to hunt Bull Elk and is succesful is he screwed now? Guessing he has to find a different way now to transport his animal and meat back then eh?
 

[KFhunter]

Meat doesn't normally leave Africa, it's given to the locals.

[csaaphill]

Meat doesn't normally leave Africa, it's given to the locals.

that answers if he's in africa but is delta banning all transports of that nature even ones like I listed and asked?

[pianoman9701]

I would encourage any and all of you to write to Delta and tell them how trophy hunting conservation works in Africa and what hunter dollars do for local economies there. I have. Here's the comment address. http://www.delta.com/contactus/pages/comment_complaint/index.jsp

I would suggest a tone which reflects respect for their concern for wildlife and direct that concern to how effective wildlife management works, with hunter dollars, to support and build wildlife populations for the enjoyment of all.

[Bob33]

While I am not in agreement with Delta, I do not believe this will have a significant effect on hunting in Africa. Most visitors do not hunt the species that are now banned for transport on Delta. Secondly, the trophies can still be shipped by sea which is often cheaper anyway.

This is an unfortunate reminder of how the acts of one can affect many, justifiable or not.

[pianoman9701]

While I am not in agreement with Delta, I do not believe this will have a significant effect on hunting in Africa. Most visitors do not hunt the species that are now banned for transport on Delta. Secondly, the trophies can still be shipped by sea which is often cheaper anyway.

This is an unfortunate reminder of how the acts of one can affect many, justifiable or not.

The statement by the world's largest airline gives credibility to the false notion that legal hunting hurts wildlife. If this continues and the world remains ignorant of the facts, wildlife in Africa could be seriously affected. Were they to change their stance with an about-face, light may be shone on the good that legal trophy hunting accomplishes.

[Carl]

I sent Delta a comment. 

[rtspring]

Sent them a nice sweet email