Hao Hao and Xing Hui on ‘Pandastic Journey’ with DHL

  • Pandas travel from China Conservation & Research Center for the Giant Panda in Chengdu, China to Pairi Daiza animal sanctuary in Belgium for breeding program
  • ‘Very Important Pandas’ transported securely over 8,000 kilometers on dedicated DHL freighter aircraft and trucks

One of our VIPs -- Very Important Pandas -- eating bamboo (Photo: Business Wire)

BONN, Germany--()--DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has assisted in the relocation of two giant pandas over 8 000 kilometers from Chengdu, China to Brugelette, Belgium. The female, Hao Hao, and the male, Xing Hui, both aged four, were successfully delivered via DHL’s global transportation network to their new home at the Pairi Daiza animal sanctuary in Brugelette, Belgium on February 23.

‘Hao Hao and Xing Hui’s Pandastic Journey’ started at the China Conservation & Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Chengdu, China on February 22, and ended with a delivery to a specially constructed Chinese Garden at Pairi Daiza, Belgium the following day. The two VIPs – or Very Important Pandas – were flown from China to Belgium on a dedicated DHL Boeing 767 freighter aircraft, accompanied by a team of two animal handlers and a veterinary physician and a plentiful supply of 100 kilograms of bamboo. They were welcomed at Brussels airport by local dignitaries and children from neighboring schools, before a DHL truck took them on the final one-hour journey to Pairi Daiza.

The pandas are expected to spend 15 years at Pairi Daiza, a 55-acre garden that plays host to over 5 000 animals. With the support of the University of Ghent, a special breeding and research program has been designed for them, aimed at helping to avert the future extinction of this endangered species.

“DHL jumped at the chance to support the delivery of our two Very Important Pandas – Hao Hao and Xing Hui – from China to Belgium,“ said Charlie Dobbie, Executive Vice President, Global Network Operations, DHL Express, “We have supported a number of conservation projects in recent years, including the return of nine silverback gorillas from the UK to the wild in Gabon and the delivery of two rare Sumatran tigers from the Australia and the US to ZSL London Zoo for a breeding program. Safely transporting these beautiful but endangered animals furthers our own commitment to supporting conservation and environmental causes around the world. Thanks to the unique challenges of planning and executing a project like this, it also gives us a great opportunity to showcase our expertise and capabilities.”

“The detailed organization of the transport of Hao Hao and Xing Hui allowed us to meet, from the operational support to the highest levels of management, a great team at DHL,” said Eric Domb, Founder and President of Pairi Daiza. “It is a real privilege to benefit from the logistics capabilities and vast experience of DHL in this extraordinary adventure for Pairi Daiza. We are confident that Hao Hao and Xing Hui are in the best hands ever. We are highly appreciative of DHL’s support for this important and historic project.”

You can find the press release for download as well as further information on http://www.dpdhl.com/pressreleases

For more information on Pairi Daiza visit http://www.pairidaiza.eu/en

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2012.

For more information: www.dpdhl.com

Contacts

DHL Media Relations
Daniel McGrath, +49 228 182 9944
E-mail: pressestelle@dpdhl.com
On the internet: www.dpdhl.com/press
Follow us: www.twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL

Contacts

DHL Media Relations
Daniel McGrath, +49 228 182 9944
E-mail: pressestelle@dpdhl.com
On the internet: www.dpdhl.com/press
Follow us: www.twitter.com/DeutschePostDHL