FedEx Express will transport two giant pandas from the United States to China on February 4, 2010,on a special B777F flight.
In cooperation with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and Zoo Atlanta, FedExExpress will fly the pandas non-stop from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to Chengdu,China.
Tai Shan, a four-and-a-half-year-old male panda born at the National Zoo, and Mei Lan, a3-year-old female panda born at Zoo Atlanta, will travel onboard a custom-decaled FedEx ExpressBoeing 777 freighter known as the “FedEx Panda Express.”
FedEx Express will fly Mei Lan from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., where she will join Tai Shanin preparation for the trans-Atlantic flight. Onboard the 777F aircraft which is solely dedicatedto the pandas’ journey, Tai Shan and Mei Lan will travel in two custom-built transport containersprovided by FedEx Express. The pandas will depart from Washington, D.C. late in the morning onFebruary 4 and arrive in Chengdu late afternoon on February 5, which takes approximately 14 ½ hoursbetween take-off and landing.
Thanks to the fuel-efficient 777F aircraft, the pandas’ flight will be shorter than everbefore possible. FedEx said the plane is the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft and thenewest addition to the FedEx global fleet.
In addition to donating all the necessary air transportation, FedEx Express is also providingground and logistical support in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. In both cities, caravans of FedExvehicles will deliver the pandas to the airport. Local law enforcement will be on hand to ensure asmooth ride for the pandas. FedEx pilots and drivers selected to transport the pandas are some ofthe company’s most seasoned team members.
Both Tai Shan and Mei Lan are part of global, giant panda conservation programmes. Currently,conservationists estimate that only 1,600 pandas remain in the wild.
“FedEx is uniquely qualified to make this special delivery given our long history connectingthe USA to China and our extensive global experience in shipping precious cargo, from packages topandas,” said David J. Bronczek, president and CEO, FedEx Express. “It is a privilege to serve asthe trusted carrier of these rare pandas, and we are proud to support the preservation efforts ofthis endangered species.”
FedEx Express, the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and the China organisers in Chengdu have workedtogether to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortableflight for the pandas. Animal care experts from both zoos have been granted special flightprivileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
Upon arriving in Chengdu, Tai Shan will be received by the China Wildlife ConservationAssociation while the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will take over the delivery of MeiLan.
FedEx Express initiated operations in China in 1984. Today, it is one of the company’sfastest-growing markets. FedEx currently employs more than 7,000 employees in China and serves 400cities throughout the country.
The company has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo. In 2000, FedExtransported Tai Shan’s parents from China to Washington D.C.’s National Zoo and two giant pandasfrom China to the Memphis Zoo in 2003. In addition, FedEx has transported polar bears, whitetigers, elephants, penguins, lions, gorillas, eagles and even a 13-foot tiger shark used in filmingthe movie “Jaws.”
Other unusual international cargo transported by FedEx includes a windmill from Denmark, an11,000-pound helicopter, and a five-ton communications satellite.
