American Airlines Cargo raises awareness of wildlife trafficking
American Airlines Cargo last month hosted a wildlife trafficking awareness and training event as part of its efforts to combat the illegal trade in animals.
The event was hosted at the airline’s Miami International Airport cargo facility and brought together more than 100 team members alongside industry experts to “deepen understanding of wildlife trafficking risks and prevention strategies”.
The event featured speakers from United for Wildlife, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), HSBC and Deloitte, and included a hands-on exhibit showcasing previously seized wildlife products.
“This powerful display provided team members with a tangible understanding of the scale and severity of illegal wildlife trafficking, while reinforcing the critical role air cargo professionals play in identifying and helping stop these crimes,” the airline said in a press release.
Jon Godson, transport taskforce director, United for Wildlife, said: “We commend American Airlines for their leadership in the fight against the illicit trafficking of animals and for delivering an event that provides a compelling model which can be replicated by other Transport and Finance Taskforce members.
“The USFWS exhibit of previously seized wildlife offered a powerful, tangible reminder of the scale of the threats our sector continues to face.”
Sam Mendenhall, vice president of operations for American Airlines Cargo, added: “Bringing together leaders from across aviation, conservation and finance creates a powerful network of awareness and action.
“The engagement we saw in Miami demonstrates how education at every level of the supply chain can make a real difference in disrupting illegal wildlife trafficking.”
American Airlines was the first US carrier to join United for Wildlife in 2022. Since then, the company has implemented the Buckingham Palace Declaration across its cargo operations and expanded awareness efforts throughout its global network.
“To date, educational materials and prevention resources have been distributed to more than 47 cargo stations worldwide, reinforcing a culture of vigilance and accountability,” the airline said.
