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Cape Town - It is becoming increasingly common to transport everything from lions to livers to specially prepared food and lifesaving medicines across Africa, DHL said on Monday.
Sumesh Rahavendra, head of marketing for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the request for strange deliveries that took place last year.
As a result of certain foods not being available in Zimbabwe, the courier company transported a fully prepared five-course dinner for eight people to a function in the country.
In Nigeria, a client requested that a birthday cake be flown from Abuja to Lagos, which amounted to three times the value of the cake. The airfare of an on board courier to look after the gift was also paid for.
Rahavendra said the company also had cross-border and continental transportation of items like rare tissue samples, urgent medical equipment and organs.
"I personally saw recently, some tissue samples were carried from South Africa to the USA for an operation to save a little boy.”
"We have dedicated people who manage these types of shipments," said Rahavendra.
He added that a highlight of last year was moving three endangered Black Rhinos from the UK to the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania.
Rahavendra explained that the 10-hour flight aboard a specially outfitted Boeing 757 included specialised life-saving devices and temperature-controlled conditions.
He said two rhino keepers, two aircraft engineers and a specialist veterinarian formed part of the transport team.
“It’s very special that we can use our core capability of logistics to support such valuable conservation efforts,” Rahavendra said.
Despite unusual deliveries, DHL ensures safety, tight security and adheres to travel regulations, Rahavendra noted.
- Fin24
Sumesh Rahavendra, head of marketing for DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighted the request for strange deliveries that took place last year.
As a result of certain foods not being available in Zimbabwe, the courier company transported a fully prepared five-course dinner for eight people to a function in the country.
In Nigeria, a client requested that a birthday cake be flown from Abuja to Lagos, which amounted to three times the value of the cake. The airfare of an on board courier to look after the gift was also paid for.
Rahavendra said the company also had cross-border and continental transportation of items like rare tissue samples, urgent medical equipment and organs.
"I personally saw recently, some tissue samples were carried from South Africa to the USA for an operation to save a little boy.”
"We have dedicated people who manage these types of shipments," said Rahavendra.
He added that a highlight of last year was moving three endangered Black Rhinos from the UK to the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania.
Rahavendra explained that the 10-hour flight aboard a specially outfitted Boeing 757 included specialised life-saving devices and temperature-controlled conditions.
He said two rhino keepers, two aircraft engineers and a specialist veterinarian formed part of the transport team.
“It’s very special that we can use our core capability of logistics to support such valuable conservation efforts,” Rahavendra said.
Despite unusual deliveries, DHL ensures safety, tight security and adheres to travel regulations, Rahavendra noted.
- Fin24
