World's largest airliner in special livery against poaching

Dubai's Emirates Airline has painted two of its Airbus A380 passenger airliner in special livery in support of global fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

The two A380s are operating flights this week, one heading for London on Nov. 2 and the other to Mauritius on Nov. 5, each wearing a different design featuring endangered wildlife, the airline said.

The move is in support of United for Wildlife, a global collaboration that unites the efforts of the world's leading wildlife charities in the fight against poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

The president of Emirates Airline said the company believes the global transport industry, including airlines, can play a significant role in breaking the supply chain of illegal wildlife trade.

Statistics show around 30,000 African elephants are killed by poachers each year. Central Africa is worst hit with a poaching rate twice the continental average. Left unaddressed, poaching could cause the extinction of elephants in Central Africa.

Airbus A380, a four-engine jet airliner with 506 seats, is known as the world's largest passenger airliner. Endit