On Tuesday, July 21, Korean Air signed the Buckingham Palace Declaration, becoming the first Korean airline to join the global initiative to counter illegal wildlife trafficking through the transportation sector.
Korean Air to Help Counter Illegal Wildlife Trafficking
Established in March 2016, the Buckingham Palace Declaration is an international wildlife transport agreement committed to shutting down routes exploited by traffickers of the illegal wildlife trade moving their products.
The declaration sets out 11 commitments, including sharing information on illegal wildlife trade, reporting any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities and refusing to transport cargo suspected of containing illegally traded wildlife or wildlife products.
As a new participant, Korean Air will contribute to the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, an initiative led by the UK’s Royal Foundation, and implement the declaration’s commitments.
The airline plans to strengthen security procedures, provide specialised training for employees, and refuse to transport wildlife and wildlife products suspected of being linked to illegal trade.
Korean Air’s Conservation Efforts
The initiative builds on Korean Air’s ongoing wildlife conservation efforts. In January, the airline provided complimentary transportation for the repatriation of rescued Jewelled Geckos, a rare species native to New Zealand. The geckos are highly protected, as their conservation status has classified them as endangered. It is illegal to capture or disturb them.
Lord William Hague, co-chair of United for Wildlife, said:
“As we mark the 10th anniversary of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce, we are delighted to see momentum continuing, with new signatories strengthening the global effort to close routes exploited by traffickers and prevent the illegal wildlife trade.
“We’re delighted to welcome Korean Air to the Taskforce. By signing the Buckingham Palace Declaration, they join this growing global effort, and their commitment helps to strengthen the aviation sector’s ability to detect and deter these crimes through collaboration with law enforcement and conservation partners.”
A representative from Korean Air also stated:
“Airlines have a critical role to play in preventing illegal wildlife trafficking, making Korean Air’s commitment to the Buckingham Palace Declaration particularly meaningful. Through rigorous monitoring and proactive cooperation, we will continue to prevent illegal trafficking and contribute to the preservation of global biodiversity.”
The airline worked closely with the New Zealand Department of Conservation and local authorities in Korea and New Zealand to safely transport the surviving geckos back to their native country.
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