DUBAI---
Two massive Emirates A380 jets will take to the skies this week, wearing
special livery in support of United for Wildlife, a global collaboration that
unites the efforts of the world’s leading wildlife charities in the fight
against the illegal wildlife trade.
The
livery, featuring some of the planet’s wildlife threatened by poaching and the
illegal wildlife trade, is aimed at raising awareness of the illegal wildlife
trade and communicate the need for urgent action.
In
a press release, The Rt Hon The Lord Hague of Richmond, Chair of the United for
Wildlife Transport Taskforce, said: "We welcome the efforts and commitment
made by Emirates airline to combat the illegal wildlife trade. This is more
than just an environmental issue. The illegal wildlife trade is now recognized
as a serious and organised transnational crime. It drives corruption, is linked
to money laundering and can damage economic development in many of the world’s
poorest countries and communities. It will take a concerted effort, involving
not only effective deterrents against poaching and smuggling, and vigilance in
policing and punishing these crimes, but also efforts to increase consumer
education to cut demand to protect these animals for the future. "
Sir
Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: "Many animals, in particular
African elephants, rhinos, tigers, and pangolins, are under extreme pressure
because of an unprecedented spike in the illegal wildlife trade. The world is
in a global poaching crisis, and everyone has to do their part to stop this,
before it is too late. Emirates believes that the global transport industry,
including airlines, can play a significant role to break the supply chain of
illegal wildlife trade. And at Emirates, we are committing the resources to do
our part."
Consumers
too, can contribute in a big way, by boycotting products made from the parts of
these endangered animals and discouraging others from doing so.
Emirates’
two A380s will initially operate flights to London (LHR) on 2nd November and to
Mauritius (MRU) on 5th November each wearing a different design featuring
endangered wildlife. The decal on the first flight will feature six endangered
species, while the second flight will feature a decal with rhinos and
elephants. Both designs cover the world’s largest passenger aircraft almost
from nose to tail, spreading over the wings and under-belly of the plane.
Approximately 40% of the surface area of the A380 will be covered by the decal.
The larger of the two designs span over 42.5 metres in length and 6.2 metres in
width, and weighs 70kg. Entirely designed, produced, and applied by Emirates’
in-house staff, both of these are the largest decals the airline has put on any
aircraft, to date and took a team of 28 people 2.5 days to apply the decals on
one A380, or approximately 900 man hours per aircraft.
In
addition to its two A380s literally "flying" the flag for the cause,
Emirates will run regular feature stories about wildlife protection in its
inflight magazines, and showcase podcast interviews, wildlife programming and
feature films on its award-winning ice inflight entertainment system.
The
airline is also collaborating with international organisations to train and
better equip its ground and cargo staff to detect and deal with illegal
wildlife products in transit. As the required paperwork for movement of some
wildlife products is often forged, Emirates also made the decision to ban
trophy shipments.
Image
by: http://ameinfo.com
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