DSC Calls for Lifting of Air Freight Bans on Hunted Trophies

DALLAS - In the increasingly lucrative illicit global market for poached animal products, it is understandable that an airline/freight carrier does not want to be caught transporting illegal goods. However, this week, Delta, American and United airlines all declared an immediate and unconditional ban on transporting any trophy parts from five African species - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo (also known as the African Big Five). This includes legitimate hunting trophies from legal, regulated hunts.

DSC is urging the airlines to reconsider. These bans are arbitrary and ill informed. There is a clear distinction between legitimately hunted trophies and poached game products, and there are already rules, laws and international treaties in place to ensure legal transport of hunted trophies. Import/export of trophies is administered by various government and non-government agencies - CITES and IUCN at the top of that list.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is the leading authority in the world on the importation of animals. Their rigorous process requires certain controls on international trade in specimens of selected species. "All import, export, re-export and introduction ... has to be authorized through a licensing system:" (from www.cites.org).

Additionally, the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) is responsible for categorizing animals as "endangered, threatened, vulnerable," depending on many markers. Lions, leopards, elephants are hunted legally under conditions determined by biologists and sanctioned by national and international governments. Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) populations are very abundant and are of "Least Concern." (www.iucnredlist.org)

DSC Executive Director Ben Carter said, "Legal hunting for these species is a conservation tool that sustains and enhances, not threatens, populations of these animals. In fact, the inclusion of buffalo in the freight ban suggests that misinformation and emotion, not science or common sense, seem to be influencing this decision."

The black rhino is critically endangered, but populations are increasing, thanks to conservation measures that include selective hunting. In 2014, a hunter paid $350,000 at the DSC convention for the privilege of a rare government-issued hunting permit, in accordance with CITES. The proceeds, 100 percent, went to the issuing government agency in Namibia to continue their conservation efforts. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allowed the import of this trophy after a public comment period.

The hunting industry in Africa alone, by some reports, puts as much as $200 million into the economy.



Source: Dallas Safari Club (DSC)

I'm betting right now that the bans will be lifted. It may take a few months, but it will happen.

A comment was made elsewhere about the fact that we as hunters don't add up to a lot of number of travelers. I would submit that as safari hunters, particularly African Safari hunters, we seem to use a lot of paid first and international business class tickets. This does account for some power. Just take a look at those flying b-class/first class into Jo-berg between April and September or into/from any SCI or DSC show - it is filled with hunters on paid tickets. While the more expensive fare may only be 10x in sales price, it represents far more in margin dollars to the airlines - perhaps as much as 100x or more multiplier over the coach tickets. Essentially, lets don't think we are powerless because our total numbers might be smaller than other groups.

One other idea guys.

Don't just email and call the airlines. Use social media, including twitter. If you dont have a twitter account think about getting one. It is easy and short since you have a 160 character limit.

Remember the old saying don't bring a knife to a good fight? Well, one place the antis have us whipped is that they do a better job of using modern tools.

Yep I'm in seat 3A all the way there and back on Delta! The decision is a big disappointment to me. Glad DSC is making some waves!

These type of ill informed knee jerk reactions do not demonstrate good management practices on the parts of these corporations.
It seems like a constant PR game with junior staff suggesting these policies without any research or knowledge about the subjects at hand.
Have any of these airlines been involved in transporting illegal products?
Anyone hear of any charges being sworn against them?
What is the actual downside for these companies for transporting hunting trophies?

Why not ban hunters from the planes. Better yet, stop flying to Africa at all and save all the animals from the abuse by photo safaris. Poor Lions can not get a break.

For every hunter who might object and not use a particular carrier, there is probably 10 anti's who will gladly take our place. We are in a serious minority here, even when traveling to Africa. They have anti's there as well. As above I think they will quietly back off on this crap at some point. Right now with all the kerfluffle about Cecil the airlines feel they must show some form of outrage since most of their customers are NOT hunters. There is probably organized protests aimed at the airlines in an attempt to get them to do these bans.

BRICKBURN said:

What is the actual downside for these companies for transporting hunting trophies?

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Is it possible legitimate hunters documents are being duplicated to "legally" transport illegal trophies?
That would be the only downside i can imagine (aside from pressure from the anti crowd).

If they stop all transport, then there is nothing for the illegal's to piggy back off of.
I have done similar things in our business to discover the loophole and then seal it up and then its all back to normal.... until they find another loophole!!

This whole thing started in April when an airline discovered a load of illegally taken ivory, illegally labeled as "machine parts" in one of its cargo shipments (never mind that the VAST majority of illegally taken animal parts is shipped by sea). If they are serious about stopping the shipment of illegally transported animal parts, perhaps they should actually ban the shipment of "machine parts"? (insert appropriate sarcastic remark here)

"South African Airways made the decision after a consignment of illegal ivory on one of its flights was intercepted while in transit in Australia. In South Africa, the shipment, destined for Malaysia, had been declared as machinery spare parts."

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...nes-hunting-trophies-elephants-rhinos-tigers/

Even if Delta reverses the policy (which I am in disagreement with Royal on this one....I think its gonna stand), I am done with them. I wrote to them when word was that they were considering a ban back when SSA was promoting theirs; they wrote a nice Email back stating that they supported the legal taking of hunting trophies (damn, I wish I would have saved that stupid email), and that Delta considered hunters to be important customers..........it wasn't a 'form letter", but a more personal one from someone who identified herself (Gina?) as an assistant to the President of the company. I felt really good about Delta back then.......now I feel I've just been lied to; fool me once, shame on you...........fool me twice, shame on me.
For anyone who is considering a plains game hunt, and are thinking about shipping trophies home via Delta, I would suggest you reconsider: First off, they may decide to make the ban for ALL hunting trophies.....look at how much "notice" they gave those who were shipping buffalo, etc. Now they are stuck........and you could be next. Also, while buffalo, rhino, elephant, etc. my make up a minority of their freight, I'm willing to be that plains game trophies from S.A. and Namibia make up a BIG part of their freight from the area. After seeing what I paid to get to shoulder mounts, two skull mounts, and a flat skin back here to the States back in June, I'm willing to be that there will be significant financial loss if ALL hunters stopped using Delta to ship ALL their trophies.
As for the antihunters taking our place: Do you really think that will happen? I seriously doubt that the majority of these A holes have any intention of visiting Africa to view the wildlife they supposedly "protect".......won't really matter much in 20 years, because if all the bans that they propose go into effect, there won't be any animals left to watch!!! If you want to see them, you'll have to go to China and see the parts in the Chinese medicine shops........all one needs to do is look at what has happened historically in Kenya and other countries that have banned sport hunting, but hey........don't confuse them with facts; they (the airlines) are going to act on emotion, just as the antis do.

Bunch of rat bastards!!!!

....o.k., Rant done and back to my antihypertensives!

In all of the times I have had trophies sent back from Africa, and that is 7 times, never once was I involved in choosing the carrier of my freight. Never even been asked if I had a preference, its always been the choice of the shipping agent. If Delta and others decline to do so, then some other airline will take up the slack or they will ship by sea more often. I don't believe Delta or other lines are particularly concerned with a small group (hunters) complaints. Not that we shouldn't complain, I just don't think they care, too few of us to really matter.

sestoppelman said:

For every hunter who might object and not use a particular carrier, there is probably 10 anti's who will gladly take our place. We are in a serious minority here, even when traveling to Africa. They have anti's there as well. As above I think they will quietly back off on this crap at some point. Right now with all the kerfluffle about Cecil the airlines feel they must show some form of outrage since most of their customers are NOT hunters. There is probably organized protests aimed at the airlines in an attempt to get them to do these bans.

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problem for the airlines is that the squealing antis don't travel to Africa. One of my favorite journalists called them slactivists, twitter twerps who live in their parents basement and work at rotten Ronnies.

Plenty of anti's go to Africa and more live there.

sestoppelman said:

Plenty of anti's go to Africa and more live there.

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Obama doesn't count he rides airforce 1

lcq said:

Obama doesn't count he rides airforce 1

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I have to go my Taxidermist to pick-up my Kudu skin I had shaped like Africa tomorrow I'll ask what his Future plans are

Concur with @Royal27

With the current public outcry, if one of the airlines failed to ban trophy imports, they would be targeted and harassed- bad for business.

I'm guessing in a few months when all the excitement dies down, they will quietly start importing trophies again. Just don't expect a loudly-proclaimed news release to that effect.

AfricaHunting.com said:

...Import/export of trophies is administered by various government and non-government agencies - CITES and IUCN at the top of that list...

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Why do these organizations not issue statements to the airlines and public about instituting measures that could hamper their conservation efforts? Their names are being thrown around by many touting "support" of these organizations. One would think it is in their best interest to rebut.

Dimond, I believe that the majority of the organizations are trying to weather out the storm. Just lay low and endure, by doing this they sure seem to be hanging members and hunters out to dry. With the amount of money SCI has you sure would think that they have a pr department.

It would be interesting in finding out just what SCI is thinking about this ban on shipping for the big 5 but perhaps they don't want to fan the flames and cause the airlines to ban the shipping of all trophies. But who knows what is really going on besides the ones that sit in their ivory tower?