Source: Air Canada
Air Canada Cargo recently helped transport a white-nosed coati from Toronto Zoo to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium after the animal was seized from a private home in Eastern Ontario.
Illegal wildlife trade (IWT) poses risks to ecological and human health by endangering the populations of trafficked species and threatening native wildlife via the introduction of infectious microorganisms, parasites and other potentially harmful species. As part of the airline’s work in tackling this issue, Air Canada joins forces with accredited zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, law enforcement agencies, and other groups, to help relocate animals illegally brought into the country to appropriate accredited facilities.
The white-nosed coati is a member of the raccoon family normally found from Arizona to South America. It has a long snout with a flexible nose which it uses to root in the soil to feed on invertebrates. The confiscated coati, named Mandy, received temporary care at the Toronto Zoo, an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility while a more permanent solution could be determined. As the coati’s origin and health history are unknown, it could not be released into the wild. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium offered a permanent home for this individual which then required the coordination of transport from the Toronto Zoo to Nebraska.
“There can be significant animal welfare and wellbeing concerns for exotic animals in private ownership or unaccredited facilities. We are pleased to see that Mandy is now receiving the required care in a safer environment, through our collaborative efforts with accredited zoos. As a global airline, we can help improve our planet’s fragile ecosystems by fighting against illegal wildlife trade, whether that involves taking measures to prevent illegally trafficked wildlife from entering Canada or facilitating their safe return home or to an accredited facility,” said Linda Kudzman, Director of Environment Management Programs at Air Canada.
“At your Toronto Zoo, our commitment to wildlife care sometimes must extend beyond the Zoo site,” says Dolf DeJong, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “There are simply far too many individuals and organizations operating without any regulation on how they care for animals and the animals suffer as a result. We were proud to assist with providing a temporary home to Mandy and we know she will be very well cared for by our colleagues at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in her new home.”
“On behalf of the staff and volunteers at your Toronto Zoo, we want to thank Air Canada and Air Canada Cargo for her safe transport and for also joining us in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade. We look forward to collaborating further to raise awareness of this significant issue,” he added.
Air Canada participates in the fight against wildlife crime by asserting and maintaining a zero-tolerance approach to illegal wildlife trafficking, including hunting trophies and shark fins associated with illegal wildlife activities. Air Canada became a signatory to the Buckingham Palace Declaration in 2020 and was the first airline in the Americas to hold the IATA IWT certification, which formalizes policies and procedures to reduce the likelihood of the transportation of illegal wildlife products.
Air Canada Cargo also holds IATA’s CEIV Live Animals certification, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to handling animals with care and ensuring confiscated and/or rescued animals can travel safely and comfortably to their new homes.
Learn more about Air Canada’s efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade as well as its environmental programs at its Leave Less website.
