As the international uproar over the killing of Zimbabwe's " famed " and " beloved " Cecil the lion continues to grow, Qatar Airways has extended its ban on hunting trophies to all species covered under the CITES treaty, according to a press release the company issued Thursday.
“As one of the world's leading airlines, serving customers across six continents, Qatar Airways recognises its responsibility to society, our communities and the environment. An absolute ban on all hunting trophies further extends our commitment to supporting the protection of endangered species and the elimination of illegal trading of animal products,” Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said.
Qatar Airways already banned the transport of species listed in CITES Appendix I, which covers animals that are threatened with extinction. By including those on CITES II and III, it greatly broadens the number of species covered under the ban to more than 35,000.
CITES Appendix II covers animals that are not currently endangered, but are facing threats that could cause them to become, including what are called "look-a-like" species that are similar enough to an endangered species that they could be confused for them by hunters and traders. CITES III covers any species that a signatory state to CITES has restricted the hunting or trade in.
Even if the uproar over Cecil was misplaced or overblown, the attention it has brought on poaching is pushing the world's airlines to cut off the international trade in endangered species.