As Delta Airlines, American Airlines, and Air Canada move to prohibit lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo trophies from being transported on their planes, the United Parcel Service is continuing with business as usual. The shipping company said Tuesday that it would not ban trophies that are legally taken.
Hunting trophies have been shipped by UPS previous to the killing of Cecil the lion and its aftermath. UPS public relations director Susan Rosenberg told the Washington Post that, as far as the company was concerned, it did not matter what the contents of their customers’ packages were as long as they are in accordance with US and international laws.
“There are many items shipped in international commerce that may spark controversy,” UPS public relations director Susan Rosenberg wrote in an e-mail. “The views on what is appropriate for shipment are as varied as the audiences that hold these views.
“UPS takes many factors under consideration in establishing its shipping policies, including the legality of the contents and additional procedures required to ensure compliance. We avoid making judgments on the appropriateness of the contents. All shipments must comply with all laws, including any relevant documentation from the shipper required in the origin and destination location of the shipments.”
Trophies are acceptable cargo because they are to be used for taxidermy purposes and meet the company’s guidelines. UPS does not ship the carcasses of animals in other circumstances.
“These are legitimate shipments, not shipments that are illegally obtained,” spokesman Jim McCluskey wrote Tuesday, according to the Washington Post. “Our priority is to ensure we abide by laws and regulations for all shipments.”
Cover image: United Parcel Service