AmericanAirlines Cargo has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting endangered species and preventing the illegal trafficking of wildlife, hosting an awareness and training event at its Miami International Airport cargo facility. It brought together more than 100 team members alongside industry experts to deepen understanding of wildlife trafficking risks and prevention strategies.
The event featured speakers from United for Wildlife of which the carrier is a member – the US Fish and Wildlife Service, HSBC and Deloitte, and included an exhibit showcasing previously seized wildlife products.
United for Wildlife’s Transport Taskforce director, Jon Godson, said. “We commend American Airlines for their leadership in the fight against the illicit trafficking of animals and for delivering an event that provides a compelling model which can be replicated by other Transport and Finance Taskforce members. The USFWS exhibit of previously seized wildlife offered a powerful, tangible reminder of the scale of the threats our sector continues to face.”
American Airlines’ vice president of operations, Sam Mendenhall, added: “Bringing together leaders from across aviation, conservation and finance creates a powerful network of awareness and action. The engagement we saw in Miami demonstrates how education at every level of the supply chain can make a real difference in disrupting illegal wildlife trafficking.”
And Eric Mathieu, Managing Director of Customer Experience at for the carrier added: “Our team members are on the front lines of global logistics. By equipping them with the knowledge and tools, we are empowering them to be active participants in protecting wildlife worldwide.”
American Airlines became the first US carrier to join United for Wildlife in 2022. Since then, it has implemented the Buckingham Palace Declaration across its cargo operations and expanded awareness efforts throughout its global network. To date, educational materials and prevention resources have been distributed to more than 47 cargo stations worldwide.
