- The history of the animal called Pantaleon started 9 years with the arrival of the first white rhinoceros to the country. It is about “Oliver” and “Hanna”, the parents.
- The shipment of this iconic animal is part of the collaborative agreements among modern zoos for the conservation of endangered species and was carried out by LATAM Cargo, Bilbao Air Cargo and Buin Zoo.
- The operation meant months of work, training and planning so that the specimen, weighing more than 1,500 kg, could reach its new home in the city of Pereira, Colombia, without any problem.
Santiago (Chile), November 17, 2022 – “Pantaleón” is the name of the first white rhinoceros born in Chile and South America, which was transferred from Buin Zoo to the Ukumarí Biopark in Colombia to join two females for reproduction and conservation of its species, currently under threat of extinction.
Pantaleon’s story began 9 years ago with the arrival of the first White Rhinos in the country; Pantaleon’s parents, “Oliver” and “Hanna”, on a LATAM Cargo flight. Today, when Pantaleon is four years old, he is transferred to his new home in the city of Pereira, Colombia.
The shipment of this iconic animal is part of the collaborative agreements among modern zoos for the conservation of endangered species and was carried out by LATAM Cargo, Bilbao Air Cargo and Buin Zoo.
“Being part of the birth of Pantaleon and then witnessing him grow is something unique and wonderful, so there is no doubt that his departure is very hard too, but the most important thing is that we are making a real contribution to the conservation of a species that is disappearing. Buin Zoo’s commitment and, our purpose, is that we live to help nature and its species”, says Ignacio Idalsoaga, Director of Buin Zoo.
The operation meant months of work, training and planning so that the animal, weighing more than 1,500 kg, could easily reach its new home in the city of Pereira, Colombia.
“LATAM Cargo is proud to participate in this transport that contributes to the preservation of such a unique species. It takes months of preparation to understand the type of animal, its behavior and select an expert team to accompany the rhino throughout the shipping. Everything must be very well calculated and coordinated between the different participants so that the animal can have an adequate and friendly shipping”, says Juan Pablo Marquez, Manager of Cargo Operations in LATAM.
Likewise, collaborative work was required between the different participants in charge of transferring the White Rhino from Buin Zoo to the Ukumarí Biopark. “When Buin Zoo contacted us and told us about this project, at Bilbao Air Cargo, we received it as a tremendous and very beautiful challenge. We have been working for years to achieve a successful shipment whose main purpose is the well-being of Pantaleon, in order to preserve the species”, said Ana Luisa Bilbao, General Manager of Bilbao Air Cargo.
More than 2 years of conversations and work came to an end with the departure of “Pantaleón”, who not only successfully arrived in Colombia, but also completed his quarantine period in his new home and currently shares his exhibit area with the 2 females with which he will have the mission of continuing to repopulate the world with his species. Over time, after a calf rhino is born in said park as a result of that union, it will be sent to another zoo, where he will form a new family and continue the conservation work.