Air Partner, a global aviation services group, was recently tasked with transporting a lion from Johannesburg to Port Elizabeth on a chartered aircraft.
The lion cub, King, was discovered in October in a Paris apartment, where it had been kept illegally as an exotic pet and neglected by the owner. The lion had been living temporarily at the Natuurhulpcentrum rescue center in Belgium until a permanent home was found at Born Free’s Big Cat Rescue Centre at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
Air Partner said its freight team was on hand at all times to assist with the complex customs clearing process in Johannesburg and ensure a smooth transition from King’s initial commercial flight on Kenya Airways to the chartered Beech 1900 for the next leg of the journey. The size of the cargo hold allowed two vets to travel alongside the lion with access at all times.
Mike Hill, director of freight, said Air Partner was “honored to have played a role in this rescue mission to bring King to Shamwari.”
“We pride ourselves on our ability to handle every kind of cargo, however sensitive or valuable,” he said.
The lion cub, King, was discovered in October in a Paris apartment, where it had been kept illegally as an exotic pet and neglected by the owner. The lion had been living temporarily at the Natuurhulpcentrum rescue center in Belgium until a permanent home was found at Born Free’s Big Cat Rescue Centre at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa.
Air Partner said its freight team was on hand at all times to assist with the complex customs clearing process in Johannesburg and ensure a smooth transition from King’s initial commercial flight on Kenya Airways to the chartered Beech 1900 for the next leg of the journey. The size of the cargo hold allowed two vets to travel alongside the lion with access at all times.
Mike Hill, director of freight, said Air Partner was “honored to have played a role in this rescue mission to bring King to Shamwari.”
“We pride ourselves on our ability to handle every kind of cargo, however sensitive or valuable,” he said.