American Airlines Cargo Reaffirms Commitment To Combat Wildlife Trafficking

Fort Worth, TX – American Airlines Cargo has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting endangered species and preventing the illegal trafficking of wildlife across global supply chains. Last month it further strengthened that commitment by hosting a large-scale awareness and training event at its Miami International Airport cargo facility. The event brought together more than 100 team members alongside industry experts to deepen understanding of wildlife trafficking risks and prevention strategies.
 
As a member of United for Wildlife, American continues to take meaningful action to safeguard biodiversity through education, partnerships and operational vigilance.

The event featured speakers from United for Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, HSBC and Deloitte, and included a hands-on exhibit showcasing previously seized wildlife products. This powerful display provided team members with a tangible understanding of the scale and severity of illegal wildlife trafficking, while reinforcing the critical role air cargo professionals play in identifying and helping stop these crimes.
 
“United for Wildlife is proud to have participated in American Airlines’ workshop at their cargo facility at Miami International Airport (MIA), alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and representatives from our Finance Taskforce,” said Jon Godson, Transport Taskforce Director, United for Wildlife. “We commend American Airlines for their leadership in the fight against the illicit trafficking of animals and for delivering an event that provides a compelling model which can be replicated by other Transport and Finance Taskforce members. The USFWS exhibit of previously seized wildlife offered a powerful, tangible reminder of the scale of the threats our sector continues to face.”
 
Sam Mendenhall, Vice President of Operations for American Airlines Cargo emphasized the importance of industry collaboration: “Bringing together leaders from across aviation, conservation and finance creates a powerful network of awareness and action. The engagement we saw in Miami demonstrates how education at every level of the supply chain can make a real difference in disrupting illegal wildlife trafficking.”
 
Eric Mathieu, Managing Director of Customer Experience at American Airlines Cargo was also in attendance at the event and highlighted the company’s internal commitment: “Our team members are on the front lines of global logistics. By equipping them with the knowledge and tools, we are empowering them to be active participants in protecting wildlife worldwide.”
 
American Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to join United for Wildlife in 2022. Since then, the company has implemented the Buckingham Palace Declaration across its cargo operations and expanded awareness efforts throughout its global network. To date, educational materials and prevention resources have been distributed to more than 47 cargo stations worldwide, reinforcing a culture of vigilance and accountability.
 
The Miami event builds on this momentum by combining education, real-world examples and cross-industry collaboration to drive meaningful impact. It also reflects American Airlines Cargo’s broader sustainability mission and dedication to responsible global operations. 

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