DHL, the world’s leading express delivery provider, has completed another groundbreaking transport project involving the delivery of a black rhinoceros from its birthplace in the Czech Republic to its natural habitat in Tanzania. The three-year-old female, named Eliska, was transported to a Tanzanian wildlife reserve as part of a wildlife conservation project under the auspices of the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust. Its goal is to support efforts to increase the population and development of endangered animal species in the wild.
– Transporting Eliska to Tanzania continues a proud tradition of DHL Express supporting international animal conservation efforts – said Ken Allen, CEO, DHL Express. – Transporting this beautiful animal to its African home and working to rebuild the East African black rhino population has been incredibly exciting for us. Complex projects of this type, where there is no room for error, are an opportunity for us to showcase the global power of the DHL network and the expertise of our Certified International Specialists.
The entire operation was overseen by an international DHL team consisting of 40 transport and aviation specialists, taking into account customs procedures and certifications applicable across five continents. The 900-kilogram female was transported from the Czech Zoo Dvůr Králové, where she was born in 2012, to DHL’s main European logistics hub in Leipzig. The rhino was then loaded onto a 28-ton Boeing 757-200 freighter, specially adapted for animal transport. The animal was flown over 6,500 kilometers directly to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania, from where it was transported by truck to its new home. The rhino was accompanied throughout the journey by a support team monitoring its condition. The team included, among others, Dr.
Pete Morkel, one of the leading veterinarians specializing in black rhinos. Five containers with food and water supplies were taken on the trip.
– We were very pleased that DHL was able to support us in the project, as we were only willing to entrust Eliska’s fate to partners who could guarantee a completely safe and seamless transport – said Tony Fitzjohn OBE, Field Director, The George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust. – Thanks to the support of an experienced team of international transport specialists, we were able to focus on Eliska’s comfort and well-being and ensure optimal conditions for her to start a new life on the African continent.
East African black rhinos are among the most endangered mammal species, with their population significantly reduced due to large-scale poaching in Africa at the end of the 20th century. Today, it is estimated that the global black rhino population is approximately 800 individuals. Zoo Dvůr Králové, Eliska’s birthplace, boasts a rich history of breeding and raising black rhinos, with 43 born there to date.
– Eliska’s departure is a sad event for the staff of Zoo Dvůr Králové. We are sorry to say goodbye to one of our most beloved animals, but on the other hand, we derive immense satisfaction from being part of this important conservation project, and watching Eliska adapt 
to her natural environment is extremely exciting for us – said Přemysl Rabas, Director of ZOO Dvur Kralove. – Preparing Eliska’s transport to Tanzania took several years, and we are confident that thanks to DHL, she was in good hands throughout the journey.
In recent years, DHL has supported numerous important wildlife conservation projects, including the transport of black rhinos from the UK to Tanzania in 2012 and the transport of two extremely rare Sumatran tigers from Australia and the USA to the London Zoo as part of a breeding program. The 2013 project to relocate two giant pandas from China to a Belgian animal reserve concluded in June 2016 with a “special delivery,” namely the birth of a baby panda.