Monday 5 December 2011

FedEx flies Chinese pandas to Edinburgh


  • 4th Dec 2011: The FedEx Panda Express arrived safely at Edinburgh Airport
  • Sweetie and Sunshine to stay at Edinburgh Zoo for next 10 years

Giant Panda Yang Guang (Sunshine) enjoys his meal of bamboo shoots before his journey to Edinburgh Zoo Photo: AFP/GETTY, Source: The Telegraph
Thanks to FedEx Express, a subsidiary of the world’s largest express transportation company, Tian Tian (“Sweetie”) and Yang Guang (“Sunshine”) safely touched down at Edinburgh Airport in Scotland yesterday afternoon. The eight-year-old Chinese panda couple left the Boeing 777F, also known as “FedEx Panda Express”, at approximately 1pm before heading to their new home at Edinburgh Zoo.

According to FedEx Express, the on-board dinner consisted of a mix bamboo, apples, carrots and a special panda cake. The panda couple was under constant surveillance of two animal handlers and an Edinburgh Zoo veterinarian. A custom-built enclosure by FedEx ensure the safety of the two throughout the 12-hour flight.

Captain Paul Cassell said that he was “delighted to confirm that the FedEx Panda Express has safely touched down at Edinburgh International Airport. (…) It was an absolute privilege and honor to fly Tian Tian and Yang Guang, and to be part of this significant moment to bring the pandas to their new home in the UK. Although every flight is unique, this flight has been particularly special—carrying such rare animals made the journey very exciting for all of us.” 

Tian Tian and Yang Guang were relocated to Edinburgh Zoo where they will spend the next 10 years of their lives. According to the Telegraph, “Edinburgh Zoo will pay £1 million a year for the privilege of housing the pair, money which it hopes to recoup by attracting visitors from across the UK.

**Transglobal Express offers a range of FedEx worldwide express parcel delivery services which are particularly recommended for shipments going to the Far East, South America and USA. 


Source: FedEx Express / The Telegraph


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