FedEx Makes Panda Delivery to Toronto Zoo
FedEx Express, the world’s leading express transportation company, has safely delivered two giant pandas from China to the Toronto Zoo following months of preparations and public anticipation. FedEx made this announcement Monday, March 25.
The giant pandas, breeding pair Er Shun (female) and Da Mao (male), made the journey from Chengdu, China, to the FedEx Express Canadian Hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport, aboard a specially branded MD-11 aircraft donated by FedEx.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was airside to officially sign for Canada’s receipt of the giant pandas on a FedEx PowerPad handed to him by Lisa Lisson, president of FedEx Express Canada.
[ Also Read: New Baby Born to Dolphin Mom Keo ]Following the arrival of FedEx Panda Express, Er Shun and Da Mao were transported by two FedEx Express trucks to Toronto Zoo where they will begin a five-year stay before transferring to Calgary.
The specially branded FedEx Express trucks will stay in service throughout the giant pandas’ stay in Toronto, delivering 600 to 900 kilograms of fresh bamboo supplies two-to-three times a week, courtesy of the Memphis Zoo.
Following a brief but mandatory quarantine, the giant pandas will be on view to the public at a newly constructed giant panda exhibit at the Toronto Zoo sometime in mid-May.
The program will allow the 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 there are just over 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild.
