Leading aircraft charter specialist was last week called into action to transport seven wild lions from 南非 to 卢旺达. This is part of a major conservation project to reintroduce the big cat to the country following the decimation of the population following the 1994 genocide 和 civil war in the country.
The government of 卢旺达 has brought in wild lions from 南非 和 set them free in Akagera National Park. 种族灭绝之后, l和 ownership 和 stock became more important than ever, 当狮子开始捕杀牛的时候, 牧民们进行了反击, poisoning carcasses to wipe out whole prides at a time. 到2000年,它们在该国灭绝了.
林迪·杜·托伊特, Managing Director of Air Charter Service Africa, said: “Two males 和 five females have been provided by two separate national parks in 南非 to ensure a diverse 和 sustainable gene-pool for the new pride. In total the lions travelled 2,500 miles, the majority of it by air. Scheduled services had already been ruled out due to transiting times 和 the size of the lions – the two males each weighed 250kgs (550lbs). As the comfort of the animals was paramount, we selected an 安东诺夫安-26飞机, which had adequate room 和 ventilation for the animals, the two animal attendants 和 operations personnel.”
“The crew on the aircraft were fully briefed 和 worked in conjunction with the two experts on-board to ensure a smooth operation. We were in constant communication with the team throughout the charter 和 following their arrival in 卢旺达 we have heard that they are doing well 和 settling in. For the first two weeks they have been placed in a 1,000m² (10,800ft²) enclosure 和 will be monitored by means of satellite collars.
“A lot of hard work 和 planning went into the operation, but it all paid off as the whole thing ran very smoothly. We feel privileged to have been part of such an important conservation project 和 we will be following the lions’ progress with great interest in the future.”
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