Endangered Turtles Get First-Class Treatment Aboard EVA
TAIPEI, TAIWAN (Oct. 20, 2010) --- Responding to a plea from the Taipei Zoo to help save 50 Yellow-headed Temple Turtles, EVA Air has worked in cooperation with the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) to transport the endangered aquatic reptiles from Hong Kong to sanctuary in Atlanta, GA. The turtle rescue lift left Hong Kong on Oct. 19, 2010 at 22:45 (10:45 pm) and arrived in Atlanta at 11:50 (11:50 am) on Oct. 20, 2010. These Yellow-headed Temple Turtles are one of several species that were among 1,300 of the reptiles that were crammed into a shipment seized in February 2010 by Hong Kong Customs as they were being smuggled from Indonesia to China.
The TSA has coordinated placement of the fragile creatures with wildlife care and conservation habitats across Europe and in the United States where the turtles will be safe. The shipper has not been identified and the original habitat of the aquatic shell-clad reptiles is unknown though Yellow-headed Temple Turtles are native to Southeast Asia and found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, often near temples within their range. The size of this brazen operation has alarmed animal welfare and conservation advocates who have long fought to end smuggling of endangered and protected species. This is a global problem that threatens the survival of dwindling populations of animals worldwide.
As soon as the Taipei Zoo informed EVA of the plight of the turtles, the carrier dispatched Hong Kong staff to assist with planning and began making preparations to comfortably fly its fragile passengers to their new home. The turtle rescue required attention to the tiniest details to reduce stress and ensure the animals’ comfort, well-being and safety during the long flight. Flight schedules had to be carefully coordinated. Special-care requirements, including the cargo hold temperature at a steady 18˚ - 25˚ Celsius (64.4˚ - 77˚ Fahrenheit) and a loading plan had to be carefully worked out. Only then could the 50 turtles boxed in 20 special containers weighing 600 kg (1,322.77 lbs) each be placed onboard the aircraft.
EVA Air Cargo regularly transports live fish, fresh flowers and other shipments that require special handling and temperature control. Starting with endangered orangutans almost 20 years ago, EVA began assisting international animal rescue efforts almost as soon as it began providing passenger services. In 2008, the Taiwan-based airline was chosen to be the official Panda Carrier and it flew two of the endangered bears, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, from Chengdu, Sichuan Provence in China to their new home in Taipei. In the years it has been serving passengers and air freight customers, EVA has emphasized quality service and safety, repeatedly distinguishing itself in both areas. It ranked 9th among the Top International Airlines in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2010 readers’ survey and it’s been recognized year after year as one of the world’s 10 safest airlines by Germany’s Aero International Magazine.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, the Turtle Survival Alliance is a global partnership of individuals, zoos, aquariums, biologists and researchers who have joined together to help conserve the threatened and endangered aquatic reptiles. TSA’s mission is to transform passion for turtles into effective conservation action through a global network of living collections and recovery programs.
The TSA has coordinated placement of the fragile creatures with wildlife care and conservation habitats across Europe and in the United States where the turtles will be safe. The shipper has not been identified and the original habitat of the aquatic shell-clad reptiles is unknown though Yellow-headed Temple Turtles are native to Southeast Asia and found in Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, often near temples within their range. The size of this brazen operation has alarmed animal welfare and conservation advocates who have long fought to end smuggling of endangered and protected species. This is a global problem that threatens the survival of dwindling populations of animals worldwide.
As soon as the Taipei Zoo informed EVA of the plight of the turtles, the carrier dispatched Hong Kong staff to assist with planning and began making preparations to comfortably fly its fragile passengers to their new home. The turtle rescue required attention to the tiniest details to reduce stress and ensure the animals’ comfort, well-being and safety during the long flight. Flight schedules had to be carefully coordinated. Special-care requirements, including the cargo hold temperature at a steady 18˚ - 25˚ Celsius (64.4˚ - 77˚ Fahrenheit) and a loading plan had to be carefully worked out. Only then could the 50 turtles boxed in 20 special containers weighing 600 kg (1,322.77 lbs) each be placed onboard the aircraft.
EVA Air Cargo regularly transports live fish, fresh flowers and other shipments that require special handling and temperature control. Starting with endangered orangutans almost 20 years ago, EVA began assisting international animal rescue efforts almost as soon as it began providing passenger services. In 2008, the Taiwan-based airline was chosen to be the official Panda Carrier and it flew two of the endangered bears, Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, from Chengdu, Sichuan Provence in China to their new home in Taipei. In the years it has been serving passengers and air freight customers, EVA has emphasized quality service and safety, repeatedly distinguishing itself in both areas. It ranked 9th among the Top International Airlines in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards 2010 readers’ survey and it’s been recognized year after year as one of the world’s 10 safest airlines by Germany’s Aero International Magazine.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, the Turtle Survival Alliance is a global partnership of individuals, zoos, aquariums, biologists and researchers who have joined together to help conserve the threatened and endangered aquatic reptiles. TSA’s mission is to transform passion for turtles into effective conservation action through a global network of living collections and recovery programs.