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A 737-converted freighter flew two pandas from China to Adelaide last week.
Airline Team Global Express said transporting the pair required “months of detailed planning” and “international collaboration”, while a vet was also on board the aircraft to assist.
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Qiu and Yi Lan also enjoyed “VIP treatment on-board” including “generous portions of bamboo”, though photos appeared to show the animals in a crate.
The bears are due to live at Adelaide Zoo and are replacing a two previous pandas, Fu Ni and Wang Wang, who returned to China last month after 15 years in Australia.
“Transporting such rare and precious cargo comes with an immense sense of responsibility,” said Jim Kafanelis, chief operating officer for Team Global Express.
“Team Global Express operates around 500 flights per week, moving everything from parcels, lifesaving medications, machinery equipment and livestock. This is only the second time that we have moved two rare pandas – the first being just last month when we assisted Adelaide Zoo with the return home of their previous panda pair to China.
“The extensive coordination of the transit of the plane and its crew – including an on-board vet – through multiple countries underscores the level of precision needed to make this mission a success. It’s an incredible honour to support Zoos SA in their conservation efforts.
“The pandas enjoyed VIP treatment on-board to make sure their flight was as comfortable as possible for the animals, including in-flight catering of generous portions of bamboo and ‘panda cakes’, as well as air-conditioning.”
The 737-800BCF, ZK-TXD, departed Chengdu in China at 3:10pm on 14 Dec 2024 as flight TFX88B and landed in Adelaide at 6:02am on 15 December.
As part of an international conservation effort, these Giant Pandas will join the Bamboo Forest at Adelaide Zoo, continuing the legacy of their predecessors.
