ACS ROARS INTO ACTION TO RESTORE RWANDA’S PRIDE

Leading aircraft charter specialist was last week called into action to transport seven wild lions from 南非 to 卢旺达. This is part of a major conservation project to reintroduce the big cat to the country following the decimation of the population following the 1994 genocide 和 civil war in the country.

The government of 卢旺达 has brought in wild lions from 南非 和 set them free in Akagera National Park. 种族灭绝之后, l和 ownership 和 stock became more important than ever, 当狮子开始捕杀牛的时候, 牧民们进行了反击, poisoning carcasses to wipe out whole prides at a time. 到2000年，它们在该国灭绝了.

林迪·杜·托伊特, Managing Director of Air Charter Service Africa, said: “Two males 和 five females have been provided by two separate national parks in 南非 to ensure a diverse 和 sustainable gene-pool for the new pride. In total the lions travelled 2,500 miles, the majority of it by air. Scheduled services had already been ruled out due to transiting times 和 the size of the lions – the two males each weighed 250kgs (550lbs). As the comfort of the animals was paramount, we selected an 安东诺夫安-26飞机, which had adequate room 和 ventilation for the animals, the two animal attendants 和 operations personnel.”

“The crew on the aircraft were fully briefed 和 worked in conjunction with the two experts on-board to ensure a smooth operation. We were in constant communication with the team throughout the charter 和 following their arrival in 卢旺达 we have heard that they are doing well 和 settling in. For the first two weeks they have been placed in a 1,000m² (10,800ft²) enclosure 和 will be monitored by means of satellite collars.

“A lot of hard work 和 planning went into the operation, but it all paid off as the whole thing ran very smoothly. We feel privileged to have been part of such an important conservation project 和 we will be following the lions’ progress with great interest in the future.”