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FedEx completes first round-trip panda transportation between US and China

FedEx completes first round-trip panda transportation between US and China
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Lance Moll FedEx Freight Leadership President and CEO | FedEx

FedEx Corporation has successfully completed its first round-trip transportation of giant pandas between the United States and China. The operation involved two flights, carrying a total of six pandas. Initially, four pandas were transported from Atlanta, Georgia to Chengdu, China. Subsequently, two pandas were moved from Chengdu to Washington D.C.

The FedEx Panda Express began its journey on October 12 from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on October 13. The pandas included Lun Lun and Yang Yang, both aged 27, along with their twin daughters Ya Lun and Xi Lun born in 2016. They safely reached the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

On the return trip, two other pandas were flown from Chengdu to Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington D.C. Departing on October 15, the FedEx Panda Express arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on the same day. Bao Li and Qin Bao, both two years old, were then transported by truck. Bao Li is related to Mei Xiang and Tian Tian as their grandchild.

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For over twenty years, FedEx has collaborated with the Chinese government and international zoos to ensure the safe transport of giant pandas worldwide. As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, FedEx covered the costs for this transportation.

Kawal Preet, President of Asia Pacific at FedEx Express remarked: "FedEx has cultivated extensive expertise in panda transportation over our 40-year history in China... We are proud that we could accomplish this critical mission."

Accompanying this flight were animal care experts from Zoo Atlanta and the Conservation Biology Institute who ensured that food supplies like bamboo and water were provided for the journey. Before departure, time was given for the pandas to acclimate to their travel enclosures ensuring a safe journey.

Upon arrival in Chengdu, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun were welcomed by new caretakers before being transferred to their destination facility. Meanwhile, Bao Li and Qin Bao have entered quarantine procedures ahead of their public debut scheduled for January 2025.

With this recent mission included, FedEx has now facilitated the transport of 21 pandas between China and various countries over several years.

Organizations Included in this History
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