“Shipping live animals is especially complex as each animal has its unique requirements,” according to DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific’s CEO, Kelvin Leung.

He was referring to Kaavan, an adult Asian elephant dubbed “the world’s loneliest” for not having a mate, who was relocated from the conditions of Marghazar Zoo in Pakistan to its new home in at the Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.

DHL worked with animal welfare org FOUR PAWS and veterinary specialists to map out the “long-haul” flight, which took months of careful and extensive planning. The logistics operator took care of the logistics, including securing the necessary customs authorization, for the transportation of Kaavan.

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Weighing over four tonnes and at more than three meters in height. Kaavan boarded the plane on 30 November after a medical check for journey to his new home at Cambodia Wildlife Sanctuary.

The 36-year-old Asian elephant weighing 4 tonnes was transported by truck from the zoo to the Islamabad International Airport, aboard a customised crate that was designed in compliance with IATA regulations for handing such trips.

“We had to make special arrangements for him and are delighted to have been able to leverage our logistics know-how and global network of temperature controlled facilities, in addition to FOUR PAWS’ animal expertise, to safely bring Kaavan to his new home in Cambodia,” Leung explained.

Weeks before the transport the elephant received special training to securely enter his crate, accompanied by a team of wildlife veterinarians to watch over and keep him calm.

“The highly-anticipated voyage is the result of months of planning and coordination with DHL and various animal specialists, such as the team from EKIPA, with the support of local Pakistan officials,” Leung added.