Volga-Dnepr Airlines used all its expertise to deliver two Southern White rhinos from Tel Aviv, Israel, to Russia.

They now live in one of the largest Russian zoos - Rostov-on-Don - which participates in international programs for the preservation of rare and endangered animals.

Volga-Dnepr Group continues to perform important missions to support wildlife preservation projects. Following previous deliveries of rare and endangered Przhevalsky horses by its sister carrier Atran Airlines, Volga-Dnepr Airlines transported the two male rhinos from the Zoological Center Ramat Gan in Israel.

 

Using the airline’s IL-76TD-90VD freighter to ensure the correct temperature and pressure environments were maintained during the transport helped to guarantee the rhinos arrived safely at their destination. The aircraft’s low-noise engines also contributed to the comfort of the rhinos during their journey, during which they were closely monitored by Israeli veterinary experts who travelled on the freighter as cargo attendants.

 

Commenting on the transportation, dr Gillad Goldstein, curator of the Israeli zoo said: “Everything went quite smoothly. The aircraft team were very experienced and efficient.”

 

The transportation was performed at the request of Charter Green Light Moscow, a logistics partner of Volga-Dnepr Airlines.

 

White rhinos are the second largest land mammals after elephants. Natives of Africa, Southern whites are now subject to protection and population management following the almost complete extinction of their close relatives, the Northern White rhino.