Transporting live animals, particularly endangered species, requires an distinctive level of care, precision, and teamwork. Cathay Cargo lately took on this teach by safely turning in two enormous pandas, An An and Ke Ke, from Chengdu, China, to their unusual dwelling at Ocean Park in Hong Kong.
The race of pandas to Hong Kong required months of planning and collaboration with extra than one stakeholders.
“Somewhat about a teams from Cathay Cargo had been serious about making obvious the pandas had a safe and gentle race,” Tom Owen, Cathay’s Director Cargo, talked about.
“Our Cargo Planning team labored closely with authorities to stable a preferred flight time slot, guaranteeing the correct imaginable cases for the pandas.”
“We labored with the China Conservation and Analysis Centre for the Enormous Panda and Ocean Park Hong Kong to make the panda habitats for air transport. The habitats had air holes for air stir and met all IATA container requirements to construct obvious they had been safe for flight,” Owen emphasised.
The documentation job changed into as soon as equally thorough: “We received health certificates, permits, and export/import licenses from the linked Hong Kong authorities neatly in approach. This helped steer obvious of any doubtless delays at both ends of the race.”
Ready for departure
Transporting the pandas fervent careful positioning interior the airplane to construct obvious their comfort and safety. Somewhat than modifying the Boeing 747-400F freighter, Cathay Cargo organized the cargo to minimise stress for the animals.
“We didn’t build structural adjustments to the freighter, but we took particular measures to location the pandas closest to the cargo door so they’ll be loaded last and unloaded first. This helped build obvious a swift and safe shipping,” Owen outlined.
“We maintained the cabin temperature between +20°C and +25°C, with pilots ready to video show and alter it in precise time. This changed into as soon as key to maintaining the pandas cosy from the second they had been loaded unless they arrived in Hong Kong.”
Cathay Cargo assembled a specialised team to accompany the pandas, guaranteeing they received the correct care all over their race.
“Two of our most experienced flight crew, alongside with a female captain, flew the pandas from Chengdu to Hong Kong,” Owen continued.
“We additionally had grooms and veterinarians on board to video show the pandas’ situation all over the flight.”
To construct obvious the pandas’ neatly-being, they had been offered with bamboo and water interior their habitats.
“Our team paid end attention to the pandas’ situation, making obvious they had been tranquil and cushty all over the race,” Owen added.
“The big panda is a national savor and listed as Inclined on the IUCN Purple Checklist, so it required particular attention,” talked about Owen.
“We achieved an intensive examination of the pandas and their habitats earlier than they had been well-liked for transport. This incorporated the notify of a Live Animal Checklist in compliance with IATA CEIV Live Animals and Cathay Cargo requirements.”
The team even care all over the touchdown: “We instructed our pilots to diminish the brakes gently all over touchdown to steer obvious of any unexpected jolts. These minute necessary facets had been well-known to maintaining the pandas tranquil all over the descent.”
Cathay Cargo adopted strict safety protocols to construct obvious the pandas’ safety all over the race.
Collaboration with conservation partners
A a hit panda transport requires end collaboration with experts in animal care, and Cathay Cargo labored closely with both Ocean Park Hong Kong and the China Conservation and Analysis Centre for the Enormous Panda.
“We labored hand-in-hand with our partners to make the panda transit habitats and to region every detail of the race,” Owen talked about. “This end collaboration changed into as soon as well-known to constructing obvious that the pandas’ notify wants had been met at every stage of the job.
“We’re dedicated to animal welfare and follow both national and global requirements to construct obvious stunning animal handling. Our IATA CEIV Live Animal Certification is a testomony to our dedication to doing things the correct reach.”
The firm is additionally a signatory of the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce Buckingham Palace Declaration, which pledges to end the illegal wildlife substitute.
“We take our characteristic in holding susceptible species seriously, and our insurance policies mediate that commitment,” Owen added.
“At Cathay Cargo, we take mammoth satisfaction in our ability to raise watch over comfy and particular cargo. This operation changed into as soon as a showcase of our ability to ship distinctive care and precision in all the things we cease.”
