The FINANCIAL -- FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx and the world's largest express transportation company and the ZooParc de Beauval today announced the loan of two giant pandas from China to ZooParc de Beauval in France, according to FedEx.

FedEx Express is providing its logistical services to transport the giant pandas on Sunday, January 15, subject to final regulatory approval.  Working in conjunction with the ZooParc de Beauval and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens in China, FedEx Express will fly three year old female Huan Huan and three year old male panda Yuan Zi, non-stop from Chengdu Airport in China to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport in France aboard a specially-chartered and panda-decaled Boeing 777F flight known as the “FedEx Panda Express”. Upon arrival in France, the pandas will be transported by FedEx Express on a specially-decaled vehicle from the Airport to ZooParc de Beauval.

The arrival of Huan Huan and Yuan Zi will mark the first time in more than 10 years that giant pandas will reside in France. “We are honored to lend our expertise and capabilities in welcoming the arrival of the pandas to France” said Gerald P. Leary, President FedEx Express Europe, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent and Africa.
 
The FedEx Express logistical operation includes ground and air transportation and the provision of two custom-built transport containers for the pandas. By deploying the Boeing 777F aircraft to transport the endangered species, FedEx Express is providing a direct flight from China to France ensuring the pandas the shortest flight time. The fuel-efficient Boeing 777F aircraft is the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft and the newest addition to the FedEx Express global fleet.
 
FedEx Express, ZooParc de Beauval, and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding have collaborated extensively to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts have been granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft. Upon arrival, the pandas will reside in ZooParc de Beauval’s specially-built giant panda enclosures.
 

Currently, conservationists estimate that only 1,600 pandas remain in the wild. Both Huan Huan and Yuan Zi are part of global giant panda conservation programs, designed to increase the panda population.

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