Logistics companies Mainfreight Australia and Dubai-based Freightworks teamed up to transport two crocodiles from Queensland, Australia, to Dubai.
Ten animal handlers took six hours to capture 40-year-old saltwater crocodile King Croc, and his mate of 20 years, Queen Croc, and load them into crates designed for them by Mainfreight.
“Our team specializes in the handling and transportation of live animals internationally,” said Greg Giarratana, national airfreight development manager, Mainfreight International Pty Ltd. “We built crates for them specifically designed to ensure the temperature was controlled and the animals could be accessed and viewed from multiple points.”
King Croc is one of the biggest saltwater crocodiles in the world, measuring five meters (16.4 feet) long and weighing 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds), with Queen Croc measuring 3.2 meters (10.4 feet) long and weighing 186 kilograms (410 pounds).
King Croc is expected to grow even bigger over the next decade.
Once safely in their crates, the crocodiles boarded a plane to Sharjah Airport on the way to their new home at the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall.
The Freightworks team met them in the United Arab Emirates and ensured smooth customs clearance, vet inspection and onward transportation in temperature-controlled trucks to the Dubai Mall.
“The crocodiles were handed over to Dubai Aquarium and Mall on time and in perfect condition,” said Mark Simon, director, commercial operations, Freightworks. “The success of this job was driven by the teamwork between Mainfreight and Freightworks and the passion of the individuals involved to ensure that this unique project went to plan from start to finish.”
The two companies are WACO System members. The WACO System is an independent global freight management organization with members in over 92 countries.