The courier and logistics service company DHL assisted in the transport of two giant pandas over a route of more than 8,000 km from Chengdu, China, to Brugelette, Belgium.
The “Pandastic journey of Hao Hao and Xing Hui” began at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Chengdu, China, on February 22nd, and concluded the following day with the delivery of the animals to a specially built Chinese Garden at Pairi Daiza in Belgium. Both “Very Important Pandas” flew from China to Belgium on a special DHL Boeing 767 aircraft, accompanied by two keepers and a veterinarian, along with a 100-kilogram supply of bamboo. They were welcomed at Brussels Airport by local dignitaries and children from nearby schools, from where they then set off by DHL truck on their final, one-hour journey to Pairi Daiza.
The project envisions that the pandas will spend 15 years at Pairi Daiza, within a 22-hectare garden that is home to over 5,000 animals. Thanks to the support of Ghent University, a special breeding and research program has been developed for them, aimed at combating the extinction of this endangered species.
– DHL seized the opportunity to deliver our two very important pandas – Hao Hao and Xing Hui – from China to Belgium – said Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President of Global Network Operations at DHL Express. – In recent years, we have supported numerous animal conservation programs, including helping to release silverback gorillas from the UK into the wild in Gabon, and delivering two rare Sumatran tigers from Australia and the United States to the ZSL London Zoo as part of a breeding program. The safe transport of these beautiful but endangered animals is a result of our commitment to supporting nature and environmental conservation efforts worldwide. Thanks to the unique challenges associated with planning and executing such a project, we also have the opportunity to demonstrate our skills and experience.
– The detailed organization of the transport of Hao Hao and Xing Hui allowed us to get to know a great DHL team, from the operational support level to the highest levels of management – said Eric Domb, founder and president of Pairi Daiza. – It is a real opportunity to be able to use the logistics capabilities and extensive experience of DHL in this extraordinary adventure for Pairi Daiza. We are confident that Hao Hao and Xing Hui are in the best hands. We greatly appreciate DHL’s support in this important and historic project.