China Giant Pandas Bound for Canada
China Giant Pandas Bound for Canada
“FedEx Panda Express” Brings First Giant Pandas to Canada In More Than 20 Years
Sydney, March 25, 2013 - FedEx Express (FedEx), a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) will donate its logistical services to transport two giant pandas from China to Toronto in Canada on March 25. Marking the first time in more than twenty years that a giant panda has been loaned to a Canadian zoo, this significant milestone is the sixth flight of the “FedEx Panda Express”.
Working in conjunction with the Toronto Zoo and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, FedEx will fly the pandas, Er Shun (female) and Da Mao (male), on an MD-11F aircraft in spring 2013. As the official Giant Panda Transportation Services Provider for the Toronto Zoo’s giant panda program, FedEx will also provide regular deliveries of fresh bamboo supplies, the pandas’ primary food source.
“We are honoured to again be part of a truly special mission in conservation, which builds on our operational strength and extensive experience shipping this precious cargo of endangered giant pandas,” said David L. Cunningham, president, FedEx Express Asia Pacific. “Just like we do for our customers shipping from Asia Pacific to Canada and elsewhere in the world, FedEx is able to provide a fast, reliable service and unparalleled customer experience.”
Following a cooperative conservation agreement between China and Canada, the two giant pandas will spend five years at Toronto Zoo followed immediately by another five years at Calgary Zoo. Visitors to Toronto Zoo will be able to visit these rare and graceful species from spring 2013. The program will also allow Toronto Zoo to contribute to ongoing international efforts to protect and increase the population of the endangered giant pandas through investments in research and conservation efforts. Currently, conservationists estimate that only 2,000 pandas remain in the wild.
FedEx has a long-standing record of safely transporting giant pandas in cooperation with international zoological societies and The People’s Republic of China. In order to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas, animal care experts have been granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
FedEx has successfully
transported giant pandas, including several shipments of two
pandas:
• China to Paris, France (2012)
• China to
Edinburgh, Scotland (2011)
• Washington, D.C., and
Atlanta, USA to China (2010)
• China to Memphis, USA
(2003)
• China to Washington, D.C., USA
(2000)
About the Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo is
Canada's Premier zoo and a leader in animal preservation and
environmental protection. More than a tourist attraction,
the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for
helping animals and their natural habitats—from species
reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class
educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo
is open every day except Christmas, and attracts
approximately 1.3 million visitors each year.
Follow the Toronto Zoo on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheTorontoZoo
About
FedEx Express
FedEx Express is the world's largest
express transportation company, providing fast and reliable
delivery to more than 220 countries and territories
worldwide. FedEx Express uses a global air-and-ground
network to speed delivery of time-sensitive shipments, by a
definite time and date with a money-back guarantee.
(Subject to relevant terms and
conditions.)
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp.
(NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with
a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business
services. With annual revenues of $43 billion, the company
offers integrated business applications through operating
companies competing collectively and managed
collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand.
Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and
trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team
members to remain “absolutely, positively” focused on
safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and
the needs of their customers and communities. For more
information, visit www.fedex.com.
ENDS