South African Airways has lifted a ban on the transportation of animal-hunt heads and carcasses in its aircraft, a spokesman for the state-owned carrier said on Wednesday.
SAA, which banned customers from transporting rhino, elephant, and lion bodies earlier this year, said last month it was discussing the matter with government officials and industry groups.
“The embargo has been lifted,” SAA spokesman Tlali Tlali said in an e-mailed response to questions, without giving a reason.
The move was hailed by conservationists and responsible tourism operators both locally and internationally, with the world’s largest airline Emirates following suit and instituting its own ban on the transportation of hunting trophies.
The group had argued the ban hurt the country’s conservation efforts and ran contrary to international law.
