three giant pandas, including 25- time-old Mei Xiang, 26- time-old Tian Tian, and their three- time-old cub, Xiao Qi Ji, arrived in Chengdu, China on a FedEx Express duty flight from Washington,D.C. Working with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, the giant pandas began their trip on November 8 and traveled via a FedEx Express Boeing 777F, dubbed the “ FedEx Panda Express. ”
The shipping and logistics company has long worked with the Chinese government and zoos around the world to safely transport giant pandas to and from China. FedEx is proud to contribute the cost of transporting the pandas as part of its ongoing commercial social responsibility and environmental conservation sweats.
On their trip to China, the pandas were accompanied by beast care experts from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute and traveled in custom- erected transport enclosures handed by FedEx. The pandas were the only weight on the trans-Pacific flight from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to China’s Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, away from inventories similar as bamboo, water, and their favorite treats, including sugar club, apples, and pears.
“ We’re deeply recognized to again serve as the transportation provider of giant pandas. The safe delivery of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji is a testament to the company’s commitment and capability to securely transport precious weight, ” said Richard Smith, chairman and principal administrative officer, Airline and International, FedEx. “ I flash back fondly when we brought Mei Xiang and Tian Tian over decades ago, and we’re proud to formerly again be entrusted with transporting these cherished creatures through our global network. ”
Before their trip, the pandas spent time getting familiar with their enclosures to insure a safe and comfortable flight. Upon appearance in Chengdu, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji were saluted on the tarmac by their new keepers before moving to the Shenshuping installation in Wolong, where they will counterblockade for roughly 30 days.
FedEx also handed trucking and logistical support in Washington,D.C. to safely transport the pandas from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo to the field. Including this move, FedEx has had the honor of transporting 15 different pandas on 10 separate breakouts over the once two decades, including transporting Mei Xiang and Tian Tian to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo from China in 2000 and their cubs from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo to China, including
· Tai Shan in 2010
· Bao Bao in 2017
· Bei Bei in 2019
The other former deliveries of giant pandas to and from China include
· 2023 from USA to China
· 2013 from China to Canada
· 2012 from China to France
· 2011 from China to Scotland
· 2003 from China to USA
About FedEx Corp.
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