American Airlines Cargo has stepped up its efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, reinforcing its broader commitment to protecting endangered species and improving vigilance across international logistics networks.
The latest initiative took the form of a large-scale awareness and training event at the company’s cargo facility at Miami International Airport, where more than 100 team members joined industry experts to deepen understanding of trafficking risks and prevention methods.
As a member of United for Wildlife, American Airlines Cargo said it continues to support biodiversity protection through a combination of education, cross-sector partnerships and operational awareness. The Miami event reflected that approach by bringing together speakers from United for Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, HSBC and Deloitte.
A central part of the programme was a hands-on exhibit displaying previously seized wildlife products. The company said this gave attendees a direct view of the scale and seriousness of the issue, while underlining the practical role cargo professionals can play in identifying and disrupting illegal trafficking activity.
Jon Godson, Transport Taskforce Director at United for Wildlife, praised the event and described it as a strong example that could be replicated elsewhere across the transport and finance sectors. He said the exhibit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service served as a powerful reminder of the threats the sector continues to face.
Sam Mendenhall, Vice President of Operations for American Airlines Cargo, said collaboration between aviation, finance and conservation stakeholders creates a stronger network of awareness and action. He added that the level of engagement seen in Miami demonstrated how education across the supply chain can make a tangible difference.
Eric Mathieu, Managing Director of Customer Experience at American Airlines Cargo, said frontline team members play a direct role in global logistics and must therefore be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to help protect wildlife.
American became the first U.S. carrier to join United for Wildlife in 2022. Since then, it has implemented the Buckingham Palace Declaration across its cargo operations and expanded awareness initiatives throughout its global network. Educational resources and prevention materials have now been distributed to more than 47 cargo stations worldwide.
The company said the Miami event builds on that progress by combining training, real-world examples and industry collaboration in a way that supports both responsible operations and its wider sustainability goals.
