AMERICAN Airlines Cargo has helped transport a Bengal tiger to a sanctuary in the US following changes to her home in Argentina where the former Mendoza Zoo's transition into an Eco Park led to the gradual relocation of its animal residents to sanctuaries.
The 16-year-old tiger, named Lucy, was first transported 750 miles from Mendoza to Ezeiza Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires by truck, reports London's Air Cargo News.
She was then flown from EZE onboard a Boeing 787-8 for 11 hours to New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Sanctuary staff, including a veterinarian, met her there ready for the final 1,200-mile onward drive to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota.
'The transportation process was carefully coordinated with Intermodal, the forwarder designated by the Mendoza Ministry of Energy and Environment, and American Airlines Cargo,' the airline said.
'The carrier ensured seamless communication between the teams at EZE and at the receiving station at JFK Airport (JFK) in New York, ensuring a safe trip for Lucy.'
Lucy was the last tiger at the Mendoza Eco Park, having arrived there in 2011 as part of an animal exchange with another zoo in Buenos Aires.
The Wildcat Sanctuary had previously accepted two lions from Mendoza in 2018. At that time, the import regulations for lions were more lenient than those for tigers, who are considered an endangered species.
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The 16-year-old tiger, named Lucy, was first transported 750 miles from Mendoza to Ezeiza Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires by truck, reports London's Air Cargo News.
She was then flown from EZE onboard a Boeing 787-8 for 11 hours to New York's John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Sanctuary staff, including a veterinarian, met her there ready for the final 1,200-mile onward drive to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota.
'The transportation process was carefully coordinated with Intermodal, the forwarder designated by the Mendoza Ministry of Energy and Environment, and American Airlines Cargo,' the airline said.
'The carrier ensured seamless communication between the teams at EZE and at the receiving station at JFK Airport (JFK) in New York, ensuring a safe trip for Lucy.'
Lucy was the last tiger at the Mendoza Eco Park, having arrived there in 2011 as part of an animal exchange with another zoo in Buenos Aires.
The Wildcat Sanctuary had previously accepted two lions from Mendoza in 2018. At that time, the import regulations for lions were more lenient than those for tigers, who are considered an endangered species.
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