Under the United for Wildlife initiative, created by the Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry, transport industry members were invited to sign a declaration committing to the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking. Quite a few individual airlines, as well as the International Air Transport Association, Airports Council International and the African Airlines Association, answered the call.

Together, these airlines will work to raise passenger awareness and train staff to recognize and prevent wildlife trafficking. Initial focus is on trafficking of high-risk wildlife products, such as those derived from large cats and ivory, particularly taking place in East Africa. Workshops are being held for airline and airport staff in international airports around the world, and guidance materials are being distributed to airlines.

“Today marks a step forward for environmental protection — a commitment that we take very seriously,” said Tony Tyler, director general and CEO, IATA. “In the 1990s, the industry came together to address noise. More recently we joined forces to manage our impact on climate change — committing as an industry to carbon-neutral growth from 2020 and to cut net emissions to half the 2005 levels by 2050. We now extend that commitment to playing an active role in reducing illegal trafficking of wildlife. We will collaborate in support of government enforcement authorities to put an end to this evil trade.”