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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/aug/03/delta-bans-hunting-trophies-cecil-the-lion
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| Delta bans shipment of hunting 'trophies' amid Cecil the lion outrage | Delta bans shipment of hunting 'trophies' amid Cecil the lion outrage |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Delta Air Lines had a major change of heart about shipping hunting trophies, announcing on Monday afternoon that it would no longer accept lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies. | |
| Related: In Cecil the lion fallout, hunters defend Walter Palmer and fear big game bans | Related: In Cecil the lion fallout, hunters defend Walter Palmer and fear big game bans |
| As recently as May, the Atlanta-based airline had said that it would continue to allow such shipments – as long as they were legal. At the time, some international carriers prohibited such cargo. | As recently as May, the Atlanta-based airline had said that it would continue to allow such shipments – as long as they were legal. At the time, some international carriers prohibited such cargo. |
| The move comes after an American dentist killed a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe last month in an allegedly illegal hunt, setting off a worldwide uproar. The dentist, Walter James Palmer, lives in Minnesota, which is a major hub for Delta. | The move comes after an American dentist killed a well-known lion named Cecil in Zimbabwe last month in an allegedly illegal hunt, setting off a worldwide uproar. The dentist, Walter James Palmer, lives in Minnesota, which is a major hub for Delta. |
| Delta is the only US airline to fly to Africa. Several foreign airlines announced similar bans last week. | Delta is the only US airline to fly to Africa. Several foreign airlines announced similar bans last week. |
| Delta would not answer questions from the Associated Press about why the decision was made now and how many hunting trophies it has shipped in recent years. | Delta would not answer questions from the Associated Press about why the decision was made now and how many hunting trophies it has shipped in recent years. |
| The company only issued a 58-word statement noting that prior to Monday’s ban: “Delta’s strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species.” | The company only issued a 58-word statement noting that prior to Monday’s ban: “Delta’s strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species.” |
| Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry consultant, noted that the airline was probably responding to pressure following the news of Cecil’s killing. The airline was the subject of a petition on change.org to ban such shipments. | Henry Harteveldt, a travel industry consultant, noted that the airline was probably responding to pressure following the news of Cecil’s killing. The airline was the subject of a petition on change.org to ban such shipments. |
| “I don’t think there was much of this shipment taking place, so there is minimal revenue loss and big PR gain for them,” he said. | “I don’t think there was much of this shipment taking place, so there is minimal revenue loss and big PR gain for them,” he said. |