FedEx has successfully flown and transported whales, dolphins and sea lions back to theiroceanarium in Chicago after the facility was restored during the past nine months.
When the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago needed to temporarily relocate more than 10 tons of marinemammals for a major restoration project, FedEx provided resources and expertise to safely transportthe animals from Chicago to Connecticut and back.
Shedd’s seven beluga whales and four Pacific white sided dolphins enjoyed a nearly nine-month“vacation” to the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration near Hartford, Conn. While theywere gone, their home in the Oceanarium wing of the Shedd Aquarium underwent a $50 millionrenovation. The marine animals section of the acquarium was re-opened on May 23 with a majorcelebration.
FedEx Express said the special charter flights it provided for the Shedd Aquarium illustratehow it leverages its global network and philanthropic resources to positively impact communitiesaround the world.
In addition to the whales and dolphins, FedEx recently transported two sea lions from Tacoma,Wash., to Chicago, where they were welcomed during the Oceanarium reopening as the newest membersof the Shedd Aquarium family.
“FedEx strives to make a positive difference in the communities we serve, whether in Chicagoor across the globe,” said William J. Logue, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officerof FedEx Express. “We at FedEx are happy to put our logistics expertise to work and make thisspecial delivery for the Shedd Aquarium.”
“We are very grateful to FedEx for their support and care of transporting our animals,” saidTed A. Beattie, Shedd Aquarium President/CEO.
FedEx has carried out a number of complex animals transports in recent years, includingflying two giant pandas from Beijing to Memphis in 2003, flying a sea lion from Hawaii to Houstonlast May, and delivering two bear cubs from Alaska to Indianapolis in September 2008.
