American Airlines Cargo has transported the last tiger from an eco-park in Mendoza, Argentina, to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minnesota, USA.

Lucy, a 16-year-old Bengal tiger, has been relocated as the former Mendoza Zoo transitions into an eco-park which has involved gradually relocating its animal residents to sanctuaries where they can begin new lives with their peers.

American Airlines Cargo said Lucy's journey began with a truck ride covering approximately 750 miles from Mendoza to Ezeiza Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires.

The transportation process was carefully coordinated with Intermodal, the forwarder designated by the Mendoza Ministry of Energy and Environment, and American Airlines Cargo.

The carrier noted that it ensured seamless communication between the teams at EZE and at the receiving station at John F. Kennedy 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 – an accredited, non-profit, privately funded sanctuary that provides a natural habitat for wild cats in need of a home – had previously accepted two lions from Mendoza in 2018.

On arrival in EZE, Lucy was flown on an American Airlines B787-8 for an 11-hour flight to JFK. Sanctuary staff, including a veterinarian, met her there, ready for the final 1,200-mile onward drive to The Wildcat Sanctuary.

American Airlines said Lucy's journey marks the second animal that American Airlines Cargo has helped rescue from Mendoza. In 2019, Sandra, a 33-year-old orangutan, was moved to a sanctuary in Florida after being granted the human rights necessary to make the journey.

"It was an honour for American to provide our services to aid in Sandra's relocation back in 2019, and we are just as proud to have been able to play our part in the re-homing of Lucy to a more suitable environment," said Indy Bolina, head of Global Sales for American Airlines Cargo.