6 September 2012, Singapore – The cute Giant Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia have arrived safely this morning on board Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747-400 freighter SQ 7168 with registration number 9V SFP. The flight departed Chengdu at 3.45am last night and took approximately 4.5 hours to travel 1,981 nautical miles (3,669km) to Singapore.
The pair travelled in custom made crates providing them ventilation and space to move around. The cabin’s temperature was kept between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius to simulate the pandas’ natural habitat in Sichuan. Did you know that the temperature in the aircraft can be adjusted to a minimum of 4 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 29 degrees Celsius? They also enjoy their inflight meals which included 90kg of bamboo, fruit and water while a team of five keepers and vets from both China and Singapore accompanied them to ensure their well-being.
The giant pandas were received by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and representatives from the Chinese Embassy, State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China, CapitaLand Limited, CapitaLand Hope Foundation, Singapore Airlines, Temasek Holdings, Singapore Tourism Board and Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
“Singapore Airlines is pleased to have transported Kai Kai and Jia Jia comfortably to Singapore. We warmly welcome them to their new home at the River Safari, and are privileged to be playing our part in this significant conservation initiative,” said SIA CEO Mr Goh Choon Phong.
Singapore Airlines is the official airline for the programme between Wildlife Reserves Singapore, parent company of River Safari and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. As part of the sponsorship agreement, Singapore Airlines and Silkair will also provide air tickets for training and exchange programmes involving zookeepers, veterinarians and researchers from both Singapore and China. The airline has previously carried other animals for conservation programmes including giraffes, lions, bears, a rare Indian rhino and a pair of pandas from China to Adelaide in 2009.
While the giant pandas were whisked away in a temperature-controlled truck to their quarantine enclosure in River Safari while the guests continued with the welcome ceremony at the Jet Quay CIP terminal. WRS Chairman Ms Claire Chang presented Very Important Panda (VIP) passes to representatives from the State Forestry Administration of the People’s Republic of China.
Some 1,000 guests and WRS staff were waiting to welcome the pandas at the entrance of River Safari. Six lion dancers and two panda mascots were there to offer a boisterous welcome for Kai Kai and Jia Jia.
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