Wildlife on board: DHL safely relocates "the world’s loneliest elephant"

December 07, 2020 - 08:01
Wildlife on board: DHL safely relocates "the world’s loneliest elephant"

  • Thecarefully planned temperature-controlled multimodal journey of Kaavan startedfrom Islamabad and ended in a sanctuary in Cambodia
  • The logistics leader worked with global animalwelfare organization FOUR PAWS and veterinary specialists to ensure a safe andcomfortable ride for the elephant
  • First-ever adult elephant that was flown out ofPakistan is now safe and sound in his new home


SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 7December 2020 - Kaavan, a 36-year old Asian elephant, is settlingin his new home in Cambodia after his flight from Islamabad, Pakistan.  The "long-haul" flight took months of carefuland extensive planning by FOUR PAWS, a global animal welfare organization,veterinary specialists and DHL Global Forwarding. The international freightspecialist arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group took care of the logistics, includingsecuring the necessary customs authorization, for the transportation of Kaavan fromhis previous home at the Marghazar Zoo.



Kaavan boarded theplane on 30 November in a customized crate for his long-awaited journey,planned by DHL Global Forwarding and FOUR PAWS.

 

DHL Global Forwardingtook care of the logistics, including securing the necessary customsauthorization, for the relocation of Kaavan to his new home at CambodiaWildlife Sanctuary.

 


Weighing over four tons and at more than three meters inheight, Kaavan boarded the plane on 30 November after a medical check for hislong-awaited journey to his new home at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary. The Asianelephant had taken a truck ride, from the zoo to the Islamabad InternationalAirport. A customized crate, in full compliance with the International AirTransport Association's regulations, was specially built for the trips.


"Shipping live animals is especially complex as each animalhas its unique requirements and Kaavan, who belongs to the largest land mammal specieson the Asian continent, is the first adult elephant to board an airplane inPakistan. We had to make special arrangements for him and are delighted to havebeen able to leverage our logistics know-how and global network of temperaturecontrolled facilities, in addition to FOUR PAWS' animal expertise, to safelybring Kaavan to his new home in Cambodia," said Kelvin Leung, CEO, DHL GlobalForwarding Asia Pacific.


Kaavan, also known as the world's loneliest elephant,received global attention for his living conditions in the Marghazar Zoo. To preparefor the journey, the elephant received special training for several weeksto securely enter his crate. Kaavan was accompanied by a team of wildlifeveterinarians who watched over him and kept him calm.


"The highly-anticipated voyage is the result of months ofplanning and coordination with DHL and various animal specialists, such as theteam from EKIPA, with the support of local Pakistan officials, American businessmanEric S. Margolis and Cher's non-governmental organization Free The Wild. Kaavanhas been relocated to provide him with a species-appropriate environment andfor the care that they require, and every possible effort has been made toensure that the trip, which is his  passageway to a better life, was safe andcomfortable for him," said Dr. Amir Khalil,  FOUR PAWS veterinarian and leaderof the rescue mission.


In 2018, DHL successfully helped fourgrown endangered Ussuri brown bears travel across continents from Japan toEngland, and sent twogiant pandas on a climate-neutral journey from China to Finland.


Note to editors:

Even the most seasoned of travelers would be prone tofeeling cranky after spending 20 hours on a 9,000km trip. But four Ussuri bearswere little fazed by such an experience when they made the journey from Japanto England in August 2018. Read about the first-class experience of thefour grown brown bears who successfully traveled across continents to their newhome.


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DHL is part ofDeutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 63 billioneuros in 2019. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to societyand the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world.Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

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