Delta bans shipment of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, buffalo trophies

HOUSTON – Delta published the following statement today on its website:

"Effective immediately, Delta will officially ban shipment of all lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros and buffalo trophies worldwide as freight. Prior to this ban, Delta's strict acceptance policy called for absolute compliance with all government regulations regarding protected species. Delta will also review acceptance policies of other hunting trophies with appropriate government agencies and other organizations supporting legal shipments."

This comes after Zimbabwe called on the United States to extradite American dentist Walter Palmer who shot and killed a prized lion. Palmer is accused of paying to illegally kill a lion.

A Pennsylvania gynecological oncologist is the latest American accused of illegally killing a lion. Zimbabwe's National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority accused Jan Casimir Seski of shooting the lion with a bow and arrow in April.