Ethiopian Airlines denies wildlife allegations
ADDIS ABABA, (Reuters) - Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday it was not aware of a Cameroonian conservation group’s allegation that the state-run airline was involved in illegal wildlife smuggling.
The Yaounde-based Last Great Ape Organization, working with Cameroonian security forces, seized a consignment of 500 African Grey parrots on Tuesday on an Ethiopian Airlines plane shortly before it was due to take off.
LAGA said on Wednesday it was considering suing Ethiopian Airlines for complicity.
“We have no knowledge of the allegation that Ethiopian Airlines was involved in an international illegal trade in wildlife,” airline spokesman Leoul Tekelemedhin said. “We will study the case and respond to the allegation in due course.”