JetBlue, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance Urge Customers to “Buy Informed”
November 17 2016 - 3:30PM
Business Wire
-- New Onboard Video Provides Caribbean Tourism
Tips to Help Prevent Illegal Wildlife Trade --
JetBlue (Nasdaq:JBLU), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance are educating travelers
about how to “buy informed” and travel smart to the Caribbean.
Thanks to this partnership, JetBlue is now airing a short film on
all flights informing customers of the role they play in protecting
Caribbean wildlife and preserving the region’s beauty. The video,
featuring local Caribbean conservation heroes, will arm travelers
with the right questions to ask when purchasing wildlife and
plant-related products. View the video here.
An increased interest in Caribbean wildlife is fueling
trafficking of the area’s plants, animals and other natural
resources. This is contributing to the decline and potential
extinction of animal species such as sea turtles, blue and gold
macaws and coral reefs – natural treasures that draw travelers to
the Caribbean. In many cases, visitors may unwittingly be
contributing to the decline of the very things they want to
experience.
The Caribbean’s island geography makes it a highly biodiverse
region. It is home to approximately 6,500 plant, 150 bird, 470
reptile, 40 mammal, 170 amphibian and 65 fish species not found
anywhere else in the world. The global wildlife trafficking crisis
threatens many of these species, which are used, often illegally,
as pets, medicine, food, jewelry, clothing, souvenirs and household
decorations. For example, sea turtles are used for food, jewelry
and items such as combs; birds are taken from the wild and sold as
pets or their feathers incorporated into souvenirs; unique reptiles
are sold as exotic pets and used for clothing; and coral is taken
for use in jewelry and décor.
“More than one-third of our travel is to the Caribbean and Latin
America. We are dedicated to protecting its beauty and health,
which in turn protects tourism and our business,” said Sophia
Mendelsohn, JetBlue’s head of sustainability. “Like many travelers,
I was not initially aware of the extent wildlife trafficking has
threatened many species and the unique nature of the Caribbean that
people fly to absorb.”
“This film is a great step forward in efforts to educate the
public on the role they can play in combating wildlife
trafficking,” said Service Director Dan Ashe. “The potential to
reach the 35 million people who fly with JetBlue each year is an
unprecedented opportunity for us to communicate with the very
people we hope will be empowered as guardians of the Caribbean’s
wildlife.”
On March 3, 2016 – World Wildlife Day – JetBlue and the Service
announced a five-year partnership to combat wildlife trafficking.
Since then, they have worked to engage local Caribbean conservation
heroes in this short film. These individuals illustrate the
important work taking place in local communities to protect
wildlife.
“Protecting the world's most endangered species requires
American consumers to make smart choices when traveling abroad,”
said David J. Hayes, chair of the Alliance. “JetBlue's commitment
to help educate consumers is a critical step forward to ending the
demand that has fueled this illegal trade. Its new film will make a
big impact by showing consumers how to buy informed and helping to
create a culture of responsible tourism.”
JetBlue For Good: Commitment to the Environment - JetBlue
For Good is JetBlue’s platform for social impact and corporate
responsibility focusing on the areas that are most important to its
customers and crewmembers - Community, Youth/Education and the
Environment. JetBlue depends on natural resources and a healthy
environment to keep its business running smoothly. Natural
resources are essential for the airline to fly and tourism relies
on having beautiful, natural and preserved destinations for
customers to visit. The airline focuses on issues that have the
potential to impact its business. Customers, crewmembers and
community are key to JetBlue's sustainability strategy. Demand from
these groups for responsible service is one of the motivations
behind changes that help reduce the airline’s environmental impact.
For more on JetBlue’s conservation initiatives, visit
www.jetblue.com/green. Join the #JetBlueForGood conversation on
Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, check for regular updates and get
involved.
About JetBlue:
JetBlue is New York's Hometown Airline™, and a leading carrier
in Boston, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Los Angeles (Long Beach),
Orlando, and San Juan. JetBlue carries more than 35 million
customers a year to 99 cities in the U.S., Caribbean, and Latin
America with an average of 925 daily flights. For more information
please visit jetblue.com.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service:
The mission of the Service is working with others to conserve,
protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader
and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for
our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural
resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public
service. For more information on our work and the people who make
it happen, visit www.fws.gov.
U.S. Wildlife Trafficking Alliance:
The United States Wildlife Trafficking Alliance is a coalition
of nonprofit organizations, companies, foundations and media
interests working closely with the U.S. government to combat
wildlife trafficking by raising public awareness, reducing consumer
demand for wildlife and wildlife products, and mobilizing companies
to adopt best practices stop wildlife trafficking.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161117006289/en/
JetBlue Corporate
Communications718-709-3089corpcomm@jetblue.comorLaury
Parramore703-358-2541Laury_Parramore@fws.govorRobyn
Shapiro202-800-7407Robyn.Shapiro@berlinrosen.com
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