FedEx Express has transported three lions from Panama to the Wildlife Sanctuary in the USA whichis the oldest and largest non-profit sanctuary in the country dedicated to rescuing captive and
endangered large carnivores.The three lionesses are 15-year-old sisters to be shipped by FedEx from Panama to the WildAnimal Sanctuary near Denver, Colorado. With the relocation, the animals are expected to receivebetter care and improved living conditions.
For the transportation, they will be placed in special containers and shipped to TocumenInternational Airport. From there, they will be loaded onto a FedEx Airbus A300 aircraft for theflight to the FedEx Express hub in Memphis for a further transfer to another flight and proceed totheir final destination and new home near Denver.
Prior to the relocation, the lionesses have lived in Feria de la Chorrera near Panama City,Panama, for more than a decade.
The rescue mission is a joint effort of the Panamanian National Environmental Authority (ANAM),Gamboa Animal Rescue, Wild Animal Sanctuary, several animal rights organisations and FedExExpress.
“It is a privilege to serve as the trusted carrier of these lionesses,” said Michael L. Ducker,chief operating officer, FedEx Express. “Our Express transportation network and extensiveexperience in shipping delicate cargo make FedEx the perfect choice for transporting theselionesses, and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute to their rescue.”
“The 720-acre Wild Animal Sanctuary and its shelters will be an ideal habitat for the lionesses,providing them with improved living conditions,” said Lucia Chandeck, general administrator,Panamanian National Environmental Authority (ANAM). “We thank FedEx Express and all of theorganisations involved for making this transfer happen.”
FedEx Express has a long history of transporting rare and delicate cargo, including two giantpandas to Washington D.C.’s National Zoo in December 2000 but also polar bears, white tigers,elephants, rhinoceros, lions, gorillas, and eagles, among others.
