Qatar Airways cargo helps seven rescued lions return freely to their natural habitat
- 3 years ago
Ensuring and keeping the promise to NGO Warriors of Wildlife (WOW), Qatar Airways cargo enables seven rescued lions to return freely to their natural habitat. The successful operation was implemented after it took half-year of its efforts involving less than 12 departments and more than 50 employees to work for it.
On Thursday, April 29, the Kouga and Swinburne nature reserves in South Africa, three lions were sent to South Africa. The journey involved a three-day trip from Kiev to Doha and Johannesburg so that the lions could walk on grass for the first time in their lives as the report states all the lions are in perfect health conditions.
Ensuring the transportation of wild animals back to their natural environment for cost of free at the request of wildlife protection bodies is a promise made by Qatar Airways Cargo as part its “Rewild the Planet” initiative. This is Chapter 2 of the airline’s WeQare sustainability programme.
Lionel De Lange, Founder and Director of WOW conveyed his thanks and gratitude to Qatar Airways Cargo by saying that, “Repatriating wild animals is a major undertaking, especially over such a great distance. But we were able to count on the Qatar Airways Cargo teams who are 100% behind us and the work we do. They played a critical role. Without them, these seven lions would still be in captivity in atrocious conditions. So thank you on their behalf.”
Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo, Qatar Airways Cargo said: “I have great admiration and respect for Lionel and his staff, for all their efforts to ensure wild animals can return to nature.”
For many years these lions have lived in captivity and they will never be able to adapt into the wild. They will spend the next few months in a safe area in which they will simply learn to explore wildlife nature. Later they shall be transferred to a much larger nature reserve where they will remain safe and taken care of for the rest of their lives.
Halleux further added that, “This is something for us all to be proud of. Whether it’s our staff who fully support our wish to give back to communities, or those who have contributed their expertise and enthusiasm, we are extremely proud to be able to do our bit towards a fairer future.”
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