South African Airways has lifted the embargo on the transportation and export of rhino, elephant, lion and tiger trophies.

The embargo, implemented on 21 April 2015, sent the hunting industry into a tailspin amid claims that the move would dent international hunting tourism in South Africa.

The embargo was implemented after aviation watchdog Civil Aviation Authority fined SAA for allegedly transporting hunting trophies to Australia under a false label of “mechanical equipment”.

Adri Kitshoff, chief executive of the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa, said the reversal brought SAA’s directives regarding the transport of legally hunted trophies in line with the government’s policy of “sustainable utilisation” of its natural resources.

Kitshoff said the move followed a meeting with the carrier’s executives and the Environmental Affairs Department.

“SAA has elected to fight the illicit trade in wildlife products through more stringent control methods instead of placing restrictions on the transport of legally hunted sport trophies,” she said.

Campaign Against Canned Hunting founder and director Chris Mecer said he was not surprised the ban had been withdrawn.

“The hunting industry has only itself to blame for all the pressure upon it from decent people all over the world who are horrified at the senseless cruelty posing as conservation.”

Source: The Times