FedEx has transported two giant pandas from China to the United States aboard a Boeing 777F freighter operated as the “FedEx Panda Express”, delivering the animals to Zoo Atlanta in a dedicated international cargo operation.
The six-year-old male Ping Ping and five-year-old female Fu Shuang travelled from Chengdu, China, to Atlanta, Georgia, in cooperation with Zoo Atlanta. The pandas arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on September 27, following a nonstop flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
During the flight, the pandas were housed in custom-built transport crates and remained under the care of Zoo Atlanta animal specialists. They were the sole cargo aboard the aircraft, travelling with fresh bamboo, water and their favourite treats.
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Before departure, Ping Ping and Fu Shuang spent time becoming accustomed to their transport enclosures as part of preparations for the journey. Following their arrival, the pandas entered quarantine at Zoo Atlanta ahead of their public debut later this year.
FedEx also provided trucking and logistical support in Atlanta to move the pandas safely from the airport to Zoo Atlanta, coordinating the air and ground elements of the specialised shipment.
The company said it donated the full transportation cost of the move as part of its corporate social responsibility and environmental conservation efforts.
The latest operation brings to 23 the number of pandas FedEx says it has transported to and from China since 2000. Previous missions have included movements between China and the United States, Canada, France and Scotland.
“We have had the privilege of transporting giant pandas for more than two decades, and every time the FedEx Panda Express is called into service, our entire team feels the significance of the mission,” said Richard W. Smith, chief operating officer, International, and chief executive officer, Airline, FedEx.
“Safely delivering Ping Ping and Fu Shuang to their new home in Atlanta underscores our long-standing commitment to global conservation and our network’s ability to securely transport high-priority, precious cargo,” he added.
The operation highlights the specialised logistics requirements involved in transporting live animals across international borders, combining dedicated freighter capacity with specialist animal care and coordinated ground transportation.
