FedEx & Logistics Industry Aid Giant Panda Conservation
First classified as ‘endangered’ in 1990 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), giant pandas primarily faced endangerment due to habitat destruction, low birth rates, deforestation and agricultural expansion.
Since then, giant panda conservation efforts have gained significant international attention which downgraded the status to ‘vulnerable’ in 2016, however, more work is to be done in the hopes of removing them from the list.
Giant panda conservation efforts include:
- Habitat preservation
- Captive breeding programmes
- Public awareness campaigns
- Establishment of panda reserves and nature parks
- Expansion of bamboo forests
Giant panda’s and the logistics industry
Transportation of pandas is crucial for international breeding programmes for genetic diversity and population growth.
These programmes involve careful collaboration between governments, zoos and conservation organisations, with logistics companies playing a vital role in the safe and secure transportation of the pandas to maintain their well-being during long journeys.
One logistics company that has been involved in the conversation of giant pandas since the early 2000s is FedEx. The company has been supporting the transfer of pandas from China to many global zoos for breeding and research purposes.
Such involvements include custom-built planes known as ‘Panda Express’ to transport pandas under specialised conditions to ensure safety and comfort.
FedEx completes first-ever roundtrip deliveries
Furthering its commitment to giant panda conversation, FedEx has completed its first-ever roundtrip transportation of six pandas between the US and China via two separate flights.
With a long history of facilitating special deliveries and more than 40 years of operations in China, FedEx has developed deep expertise in transporting pandas - one of the world’s most treasured symbols of conservation.
Our role in these efforts extends beyond logistics to supporting global conservation initiatives and fostering international collaboration. FedEx is proud to ensure that each of these precious shipments arrives safely and securely, reflecting the trust placed in us to protect what matters most
Via the ‘Panda Express’, FedEx departed Atlanta with four pandas delivering them to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The logistics company then returned to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) in Washington, D.C. with two pandas.
For more than two decades, FedEx has worked alongside the Chinese government and zoos globally to safely transport giant pandas to and from China, honouring its commitment to keeping supply chains moving and connecting communities by enabling global trade.
FedEx donated the transportation costs as part of its ongoing CSR and environmental conservation efforts.
FedEx has a long history of transporting giant pandas globally with a total of 21 pandas transported to date to locations such as France, Scotland, the US and China.
How are other companies in the logistics industry getting involved?
It is not only FedEx that is committing its efforts to the conservation of giant pandas, other logistics organisations include:
- DHL: Notably, DHL has transported pandas from China to various global locations as part of breeding programmes. As well as providing logistics support for the shipping of essential food supplies, including bamboo.
- China Southern Airlines: Primarily, China Southern Airlines has been involved in the transportation of pandas within China and between China and international destinations to ensure the safe travel of pandas.
- Air China: Similarly, Air China has been involved in the transportation of pandas to international zoos for breeding efforts.
- UPS: With some involvement in giant panda conservation, UPS support various wildlife transport efforts.
- Cathay Pacific Airways: With a history of giant panda conservation efforts, Cathay Pacific Airways has facilitated the transportation of pandas providing tailored care to support breeding, research and raising awareness.
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