From a disabled chimpanzee to a mobile heart clinic, DHL’s 2024 deliveries highlight its extraordinary ability to handle diverse and meaningful shipments with precision and care.

One standout example was the transport of Chocolat, a disabled chimpanzee, from Kenya to her new home at the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, UK. Chocolat, rescued as an infant in 2001 after surviving the illegal bushmeat trade in Congo, had been cared for in Kenya for over two decades. However, she required a permanent sanctuary that could provide specialised care for injuries that left her with a paralysed hand and foot.

DHL prioritised Chocolat’s journey, ensuring her safety and comfort throughout the process. Her trip began with a flight from Nairobi to East Midlands Airport in the UK and concluded with a road journey to Dorset. Travelling in a custom-built crate stocked with fruit and sweet potatoes, Chocolat was accompanied by animal experts every step of the way. On arrival, she was warmly introduced to six other chimpanzees, finally finding the family she had missed since her days in the wild.

Another memorable delivery involved over 130 pieces of James Bond memorabilia transported from the “Bond in Motion” exhibition in Prague to the “007 Action” display in Vienna. This shipment included iconic items like 27 cars, eight motorcycles, costumes, and props. Highlights included the legendary Aston Martin DB5, featured in eight Bond films, and the ice dragster from Die Another Day. Using 22 specialised trucks with hydraulic lifts, DHL ensured the safe transport of these cinematic treasures across 330 km.

Closer to home, DHL supported a landmark conservation effort in South Africa by relocating 163 critically endangered Cape and African White-backed vultures. In January, these birds were transported from a rehabilitation facility near Pretoria to the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern Cape. Spanning over 1,000 km, this operation represented the largest vulture relocation project ever undertaken. With two 34-ton trucks, five support vehicles, and over 50 volunteers, DHL ensured the 18-hour journey was completed smoothly, providing the birds with a safe habitat to thrive and breed.

The arts also benefited from DHL’s expertise when the London Philharmonic Orchestra embarked on a tour of Japan. DHL transported 60 valuable instruments, including double basses, cellos, and timpani, from the UK to Hamamatsu Act City Concert Hall. The 9,500 km journey required meticulous planning, including maintaining a stable temperature between 17 and 21 degrees Celsius to prevent damage to the instruments. Custom-built, shock-absorbing cases ensured their safety, and DHL delivered them on time for performances in Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo.

In February 2024, DHL undertook a mission to deliver a mobile heart clinic from Bremen, Germany, to Zacamil, El Salvador. This world-first clinic, developed by the German non-profit Kinderherzen, provides life-saving surgeries for children with congenital heart defects in regions lacking specialised medical facilities. Transported in 11 containers via sea and road, the clinic was operational within 15 days of arrival. It remained in El Salvador until May, offering free treatments, before being relocated by DHL to Burundi, where it continued its life-saving mission.

These extraordinary deliveries demonstrate DHL’s commitment to not just logistics but also to making a meaningful impact across diverse sectors. From wildlife conservation to cultural preservation and humanitarian aid, DHL’s operations in 2024 reflect the power of logistics to connect, support, and transform lives globally.

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