Houston Safari Club Questions Transport Bans of Legally Hunted Trophies

HOUSTON - Aug. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Houston Safari Club (HSC) is concerned over the recent transportation ban on trophies for the “Big Five” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo) by United, Delta, American Airlines and Air Canada.

Hunting-related tourism is a primary source of funding for wildlife agencies and personnel, anti-poaching efforts, habitat preservation and species enrichment. Increased difficulty transporting trophies may cause a drastic reduction in a critical source of conservation support and thus directly affect the future of wildlife and economies on a local and global level.

“This is a difficult time for the conservation community and for those guides and hunters that practice legal and ethical harvest methods. Eliminating options for the transportation of trophies taken legally will not serve anyone or any purpose. It is our sincere hope that the non-hunting and hunting communities can come together and engage in a fact-based dialogue about the positive impact of hunting on animal and human populations”, states Joe Betar, Executive Director of Houston Safari Club.

Other carriers continue to stand by their policy to ship hunting trophies. United Parcel Service (UPS) will continue to ship in accordance with U.S. and international shipping laws. While FedEx does not ship animal trophies, they do continue to ship taxidermy supplies in compliance with their guidelines. South African Airways has rescinded their recent transport ban.

HSC remains steadfast in its repudiation of all poaching and its contempt towards unethical behavior of any hunters worldwide.

About Houston Safari Club

Houston Safari Club (HSC), established in 1972, is a volunteer non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas. Our mission is to preserve the sport of hunting through education, conservation and the protection of hunters’ rights. HSC proudly provides one of the largest scholarship programs of its kind, in conjunction with its charitable arm, the American Conservation and Education Society (ACES). Together, HSC and ACES have provided millions of dollars for conservation, education and sporting rights initiatives worldwide. For more information, please visit our website at www.houstonsafariclub.org or call 713.623.8844.