An elephant is poached every 15 minutes; their population has plummeted 66% in just the last 5 years. Thousands of rhinos are poached annually for their horn and other body parts.  Lions are being hunted as "trophies" in increasing fashion.  The hunting of lions has increased dramatically in the last few years.  Hunters bring home animals' head and bodies to stuff and mount.  Last month, Cecil, a beloved lion in Zimbabwe, was illegally killed, beheaded and skinned by a Minnesota dentist. In response to the public outcry, numerous airlines have banned transporting any hunting trophies on their airline. The list of airlines who now ban transport of exotic animal trophies include, Air Canada, Air France, American Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Airlines, Emirates Sky Cargo, Iberia Airlines,  KLM, Luftansa Cargo, Qantas Airlines, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic.  Now we are asking Turkish Airlines to do the same!                    

In order for the embargo to have the most effective result in saving animal lives, it is imperative that the hunting trophy transport ban be honored across all air carriers. 

 By refusing to play a role in wildlife trafficking, Turkish Airlines can demonstrate the strong and ethical leadership that has made it a successful and respected company.  Turkish Airlines can take a strong stand against the over-hunting that has devastated and endangered multiple species.  It is a tragic circumstance driven by the $20 billion illicit trade in the body parts of endangered animals. 

Please show the world that Turkish Airlines cares by banning the transport of any and all exotic animal hunting trophies.