With the goal of contributing to the conservation of endangered species, LATAM Cargo Group, in collaboration with logistics company SPARX, completed on December 2 the relocation of Atanasio, a southern white rhinoceros born at Buinzoo Biopark in 2020, to São Paulo, Brazil. The animal will take part in an international program focused on conserving and breeding its species.
Atanasio, five years old and weighing nearly two tons, is the first rhinoceros in the world born during the pandemic and one of only three individuals of his species born under professional care in Latin America, all of them at Buinzoo Biopark. His siblings are Pantaleón (born in 2017), also transported by LATAM Cargo Group to Colombia in 2022 to join a conservation program, and Silverio (born in 2024), who remains in Chile with his parents Hanna and Oliver.
To carry out the air transport, several areas within LATAM Cargo Group coordinated closely to ensure a safe process aligned with the highest international standards. Atanasio underwent a preparation period lasting several months to safeguard his well-being throughout the trip. This operation was led by SPARX Logistics, the logistics company responsible for the entire process, which included documentation management, operational coordination for preparing the shipment, and the required international procedures. Their work ensured that each stage of the relocation was completed in an orderly manner and within the established timelines.
Atanasio’s relocation required more than a year of logistical planning by SPARX Logistics. “Our goal was to guarantee optimal conditions in a custom-designed container, which meant planning each stage well in advance. Everything was taken into consideration to prevent any stress. We even assigned a specialist from our team to accompany Atanasio throughout the journey, which was key to providing stability during the flight and improving his adaptation to the new habitat,” said Juan Manuel Rojas, Global CEO of SPARX Logistics. He highlighted the trust placed in them by Chilean and international institutions to execute an operation where there is no margin for error. “This relocation reflects our shared commitment: contributing to the preservation of the species and ensuring the level of care that an animal of this magnitude deserves,” he added.
“These types of operations showcase our technical capabilities and LATAM’s commitment to initiatives that generate a positive impact. Transporting an animal of this size requires rigorous planning and the involvement of multiple teams, always prioritising the animal’s well-being and safety. We are proud to support projects that contribute to species conservation in South America,” said Juan Pablo Márquez, Senior Operations Manager for South America at LATAM Cargo Group.
“This successful relocation of our rhinoceros is the result of collaborative work across multiple organizations. We are making a significant contribution to the conservation of a species of which only around 20,000 individuals remain worldwide. Being the only institution in the region to have achieved the reproduction of three calves positions us as a reference and leader in animal preservation. This motivates us to continue advancing on this path, with the goal of leaving a better world for future generations,” said Ignacio Idalsoaga, Director of Buinzoo Biopark.
Atanasio’s arrival in Brazil will strengthen conservation efforts carried out by South American institutions for more than a decade, based on collaboration, technical exchange, and the development of specialised programs to ensure the future of the species.
This is the second rhinoceros born in Chile to travel abroad to join a conservation program, and the third international relocation of this family carried out by LATAM Cargo Group, which transported Atanasio’s parents to Chile from South Africa in 2013. This milestone marks a new joint step toward protecting a species that plays a key role in global biodiversity.
