Pandas arrive on castors to Bamboo and Bagpipes

December 28, 2015

Ross Castors

Views

Two giant Pandas are settling in to their new home in Edinburgh zoo after arriving from China last month. Tian Tian and Yang Guang landed at Edinburgh airport at the beginning of December on a specially chartered, non stop flight from China and are expected to stay in their new homes for the next ten years. Their arrival marks the culmination of five years meticulous planning and organisation. Their smooth transportation to Scotland has been aided by the use of a variety of castors and wheels. From moving the precious live cargo from their native home in purpose built cargo containers on castors to airport loading on ball transfer castors.

Tian Tian, whose name means ‘sweetie’ , and Yang Guang, meaning ‘sunlight’, were transported on castors from China on a Boeing 777F flight named the FedEx ‘PandaExpress’, along with vets and their handlers. Even the pilots were experienced in transporting live cargo on castors, as they had previously transported some of the world’s most precious animals including white rhinos and penguins. In order to make the long journey as comfortable as possible the cargo containers on castors were designed to allow for in-flight meals. The giant Pandas were given a selection of bamboo, apples, carrots, and even a special panda cake.

Transferring the Pandas from the aeroplane to the transportation truck at the Edinburgh airport, whilst the world’s media and well wishers were watching, was a well planned manoeuvre. Huge cargo handling castors supported frames upon which were embedded hundreds of ball transfer castors, which enable a smooth directional movement of this precious cargo. The Pandas were unloaded to the sound of bagpipes and cheers, and it was the female of the breeding pair that was unloaded out first. Once on the truck the Pandas were slowly driven to their new home at Edinburgh zoo and locals lined the streets to welcome them to the Scottish capital. Once on site the cargo containers on castors were moved to their newly built enclosure. This quarter of a million pound residence was designed by animal behaviourists and psychologists to simulate their natural habitat and the zoo is hoping it will become one of Edinburgh most popular attractions.

Even the food of Giant Pandas will be delivered utilising castors and wheels. These rare giant bears spend the majority of their time feeding and sleeping. They will consume over twenty kilos of bamboo per day, at a cost of £70,000 per year. Some of the bamboo will be grown at the zoo, but the vast majority will be imported on castors for the hungry pair, from the Netherlands. The Scottish Zoo hopes this pair of Giant Pandas will eventually become a breeding pair. In the mean time the Zoo estimates visitor numbers will increase by seventy percent in the first year and perhaps even more if the Pandas have cubs. The five year culmination of planning, relationship building and influence with China seems to have paid off. The transportation of the Pandas on castors has been a success, and only time will tell if these Pandas can produce the next precious generation of Giant Pandas.