UAE airlines ahead in hunting trophy ban

Dubai - Emirates, Etihad had policy in place few months ago

Emirates and Etihad were months ahead of their American counterparts in banning the transport of hunting trophies on-board their aircraft.
Earlier this week, Delta, American and United each announced that they would ban a wide range of animal trophies, including lions, elephants, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopards.
Although none of the three airlines specified a reason for the policy, the move comes amid an uproar over the recent killing of Cecil the lion by American hunter Arnold Palmer in Zimbabwe.
Emirates, however, has had a ban in place since mid-May.
"As part of our efforts to prevent the illegal trade of hunting trophies of elephant, rhinoceros, lion and tiger, Emirates SkyCargo, has decided that effective May 15, 2015, we will not accept any kind of hunting trophies of these animals for carriage on Emirates services," an Emirates spokesperson said in a statement.
The airline had previously already had in place a ban on products and parts of endangered species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites), which includes hunting trophies. An Etihad spokesperson told Khaleej Times that the airline has a similar policy in place.
"We have a comprehensive policy in place which bans the carriage of hunting trophies using animal products," the spokesperson said.
The text of Etihad's animal policy also notes that "if a guest or cargo agent is found to be smuggling live animals, restricted animal-related products or endangered species, they are immediately referred to the local authority."
In the past, the UAE has managed to foil several significant shipments of illegal wildlife products.
In April, Dubai Police seized 300kg of ivory worth an estimated $3 million at Dubai International Airport. Authorities believe the haul was taken from approximately 40 hunted elephants.
In total, between 2011 and 2014 Dubai Customs seized 1,500 tusks and ivory products at Dubai International Airport, with 474 tusks also discovered at Jebel Ali Port in 2012 and 2013.
bernd@khaleejtimes.com

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