MASkargo saw its recent passengers to China come to full circle as it successfully delivered panda cubs Yi Yi and Sheng Yi on the way to their new home at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
10 years ago, MASkargo successfully transported parents Fu Wa and Feng Yi, from Chengdu to Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China.
MASkargo shared that the elder cub, Yi Yi, was due to return to her homeland in 2020 at the age of two but the plan had to be deferred due to the COVID-19 pandemic which resulted in the closure of international borders. Another female panda cub, Sheng Yi, was born in May 2021. Zoo Negara deemed it timely for the cubs to return to China after Sheng Yi celebrated her second birthday.
The furry young cubs, weighing 106 kilos and 81 kilos, respectively, were transported onboard MASkargo’s A330-200 freighter (flight MH6476) which departed KL International Airport at 10:45pm on 29 August and arrived at Shuanglin Airport at 3:05 am local time.
The momentous send-off was witnessed by Abdul Wahid Abu Salim, the Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Natural Resources & Climate Change Malaysia, together with representatives from Zoo Negara and the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia (PERHILITAN).
With more than 20 years of experience, MASkargo emphasised that its Animal Hotel and staff are well equipped with the expertise and knowledge on live animal handling and transportation.
Mark Jason Thomas, chief executive officer of MASkargo, who was present during the send-off shared that the company’s staff at the Animal Hotel undergo regular trainings to keep themselves updated with the latest know-how on both safety and animal welfare pertaining to shipments of live animals by air.
“In the past, we have transported exotic animals such as sea lions, tiger sharks, baby giraffes and rhinoceros to name a few. Our vast experience in domesticated and live animal transportation has accorded MASkargo with a membership in the IATA Live Animal Board.”
