DHL said it partnered with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue & Protection (LCRP) to provide logistics services to relocate four rescued chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau on West Africa's Atlantic coast to Liberia.
Citing its long experience in transporting wildlife, DHL noted that all four rescued chimpanzees were re-located to their new home on July 9 — in time to celebrate World Chimpanzee Day on July 14.
The logistics behemoth said the collaboration aims to raise awareness about the welfare, protection, and conservation of the global chimpanzee population, which is critically endangered.
"DHL's experience in the transportation of wildlife is world-class, and we could not envision partnering with another logistics organization to ensure the safe passage of these vulnerable chimps," said Jenny Desmond, founder of Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection. "Chimpanzees, a critically endangered species, are protected in both countries, and it is illegal to harm or keep them as pets."
LCRP was founded in 2016 to rescue chimpanzees who are victims of illegal bush meat and pet trades. One of the key purposes of LCRP is to ensure the conservation of wild chimpanzees in Liberia and globally and to make sure that wild chimpanzees are kept wild.
DHL noted that the decision to relocate the four chimpanzees from Guinea-Bissau to Liberia was based on Guinea-Bissau's Directorate-General for Forests and Fauna's commitment to combating international wildlife trade (IWT).
The country has no sanctuary to safeguard the four chimpanzees, prompting negotiations with Liberia Chimpanzee Rescue and Protection.
This also prompted LCRP to partner with the Governments of Guinea-Bissau and Liberia, several animal protection partners, and DHL Express in South Africa to ensure the safe passage, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the chimpanzees into a community in Liberia that is conducive to their survival.
"... With many years of experience in transporting wildlife, we have gained valuable knowledge in ensuring the specific needs of the 'special cargo.' Each wildlife mission we undertake has its unique requirements. That is why we always connect with our experts and specialists in order to guarantee that the animals arrive safe and in good health at their intended destinations," said Anthony Beckley, VP of Operations DHL Express SSA.
DHL said this historical project included many months of planning and is the first-time western chimpanzees have been able to be relocated within their home region.
Western chimpanzees are now extinct in three, soon five of eleven native countries.
DHL said the four chimpanzees were transported in an ATR72 LCD (Large Cargo Door) designed for large cargo shipments, which allows minimal impact for the on and offloading of the animals throughout the transportation journey.
The aircraft was also modified to ensure first-class treatment throughout the 2hrs 20minutes flight from Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Guinea-Bissau to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport in Liberia.
