DHL Global Forwarding helped transport five lions and a tiger from Ukraine to South Africa as part of a conservation effort.
The lions and tiger were transported from a private zoo in Chernivtsi and a zoo in Nikolaev in the south of Ukraine to Boryspil International Airport where they were flown to OR Tambo in South Africa.
The six big cats were then transported by road to their final destination; the Simbonga Game Farm & Sanctuary near Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), which is run by conservation organisation Warriors of Wildlife.
Throughout the journey the animals were monitored by veterinarians.
In Ukraine, the DHL team had the support of a Ukrainian vet until departure and another vet was onboard the flight.
Lionel de Lange, director Warriors of Wildlife and Simbonga Game Farm & Sanctuary, said: "Transporting wild cats is always a great challenge and requires the trust and cooperation of all parties involved.
"With DHL as an experienced animal logistics partner, we were able to manage this complex coordination effort with ease and bring the animals safely back to their home."
