The United Parcel Service has refused to cave to pressure in banning the shipment of big-game trophies, despite several airlines announcing a ban amid an international uproar over the killing of Zimbabwe’s Cecil the lion.
A UPS spokeswoman said Tuesday that those looking to ship lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies can still do so with UPS for as long as U.S. and international laws permit, The Washington Post reported.
“There are many items shipped in international commerce that may spark controversy,” UPS public relations director Susan Rosenberg told The Post. “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,” she said. “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.”
The statement comes after Delta, American Airlines and Air Canada announced bans on the transportation of big-game trophies. The change comes amid international outrage after 13-year-old Cecil the lion was killed illegally by an American dentist near Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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