From a disabled chimpanzee to a mobile heart clinic, DHL has shared five of the most extraordinary shipments that it carried out in 2024.
One such example is DHL’s effort in August to transport disabled chimpanzee Chocolat from Kenya to the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, UK.
Chocolat was saved as an infant in 2001 after surviving the illegal bushmeat trade in Congo, where poachers killed her mother. Chocolat suffered injuries from shotgun pellets that left her with a paralysed hand and foot. Her original rescuer kept her safe in Kenya for over two decades.
In 2024, however, Chocolat needed a permanent home in a specialised sanctuary that could provide her with the best possible care. DHL treated her journey as a high-priority transport. It began with a flight from Nairobi to East Midlands Airport in the UK and concluded with a road trip to Dorset.
A custom-built crate with snacks like fruit and sweet potatoes ensured Chocolat’s comfort and safety. A dedicated team of animal experts accompanied her throughout the trip, and she arrived in good spirits. She was introduced to six other chimpanzees at her new home, giving her the family that she had been missing since her time in the wild.
Another memorable shipment was the transport in August of over 130 pieces of James Bond memorabilia on a 330 km journey from the “Bond in Motion” exhibition in Prague, Czech Republic to the “007 Action” display in Vienna, Austria
Among the artefacts were 27 cars, eight motorcycles, costumes, parachutes, and even James Bond’s driving license. A standout highlight was the iconic Aston Martin DB5, one of the most famous cars in film history, featured in eight Bond movies from “Goldfinger” (1964) to “No Time to Die” (2021).
Additionally, DHL delivered the high-speed ice dragster, over eight metres long, used in a thrilling chase across a frozen landscape in “Die Another Day” and the helicopter that James Bond destroyed in “Spectre.” DHL utilized 22 trucks, including specialised enclosed car carriers with hydraulic lifts, ensuring maximum protection throughout the journey.
Photo: DHL
Sometimes notable shipments occur within countries and an example of this is the relocation of 163 vultures in South Africa. In a landmark conservation effort, the 163 Cape and African White-backed vultures were relocated in January from a rehabilitation facility near Pretoria to the Shamwari wildlife reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
Supported by various non-profit organisations, this operation was crucial for providing the critically endangered birds with a safe environment where they can breed and thrive with minimal human exposure.
Spanning more than 1,000 km, the transport represented the largest vulture relocation project ever undertaken. Using two 34-ton trucks along with five support and security vehicles, DHL ensured the 18-hour journey for the precious cargo went as smoothly as possible. Over 50 volunteers were involved in the project, carefully loading all birds in three hours. This initiative is part of a broader effort to restore African vulture populations.
DHL also coordinated somewhat of a logistical symphony in September. The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s tour of Japan saw DHL transport approximately 60 valuable instruments, including double basses, cellos, timpani, and a harp, from the UK to the Hamamatsu Act City Concert Hall in Japan.
The operation required meticulous planning, covering roughly 9,500 km by air and road. For instance, DHL had to maintain a constant temperature between 17 and 21 degrees Celsius to prevent wooden instruments from warping or cracking.
Additionally, custom-built, shock-absorbing cases were used. Despite a tight schedule, all instruments arrived on time and in perfect condition. The tour began in Hamamatsu, then proceeded to Nagoya, Osaka, and concluded in Tokyo.
Mobile heart clinic Photo DHL
And finally, while it might sound implausible, DHL shipped a mobile heart clinic from Europe to Central America. In February 2024, DHL delivered the world’s first mobile heart clinic across oceans, covering over 9,000 km from Bremen, Germany, to Zacamil, El Salvador.
Developed by the German non-profit organisation Kinderherzen, the clinic provides lifesaving surgery for children with congenital heart defects in areas that lack specialised facilities. The shipment consisted of 11 containers, transported by sea and road.
After a 15-day setup, international heart surgeons began offering free treatments to the country’s young patients. The clinic remained in El Salvador until May 2024, before DHL transferred it to Burundi, East Africa, where it continued its mission.
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