Delta Airlines bans the shipping of certain animal trophies

Delta Airlines is taking action as the outrage grows over the killing of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe. Monday, the Atlanta-based airline released a statement saying “Effective immediately, Delta will officially ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide as freight.”

The Humane Society of the United States applauds Delta's decision, saying these animals don't belong on the walls of wealthy people who spend a fortune to kill them. “Many people don't understand why they want to kill in the first place when there are so many other ways to enjoy them through ecotourism” says Debra Berger with the Humane Society. She says this will be a deterrent for the hunters, “If the hunters can't bring home their trophies, will the hunters want to kill these beautiful, gentle giants?”

FOX 5 talked to a local taxidermist who says he mounts 60 to 80 exotic animals a year. He says while he doesn't support the killing of Cecil the Lion, he does support hunting, as long as it's legal. He says he doesn't think Delta's ban will have much of an effect on hunting. He says the hunters will still find a way to get their trophies home, “one way or another they're going to get it shipped here”.