"Pantaleón" is the name of the first white rhinoceros born in Chile, South America, which was transferred from Buin Zoo to the Ukumarí Biopark in Colombia to join two females for reproduction and conservation of this precious species under threat of extinction.

Pantaleon's story began 9 years ago with the arrival of the first White Rhinos in the country; Pantaleon's parents, "Oliver" and "Hanna”, on a LATAM Cargo flight. Today, when Pantaleon is four years old, he is transferred to his new home in the city of Pereira, Colombia.

The shipment of this iconic animal is part of the collaborative agreements among modern zoos for the conservation of endangered species and was carried out by LATAM Cargo, Bilbao Air Cargo and Buin Zoo.

“Being part of the birth of Pantaleon and then witnessing him grow is something unique and wonderful, so there is no doubt that his departure is very hard too, but the most important thing is that we are making a real contribution to the conservation of a species that is disappearing. Buin Zoo's commitment and, our purpose, is that we live to help nature and its species”, says Ignacio Idalsoaga, Director of Buin Zoo. 

The operation meant months of work, training and planning so that the animal, weighing more than 1,500 kg, could easily reach its new home in the city of Pereira, Colombia.

“LATAM Cargo is proud to participate in this operation that contributes to the preservation of such a unique and wonderful species. It takes months of preparation to understand the type of animal, its behaviour and select an expert team to accompany the rhino throughout the shipping. Everything must be very well calculated and coordinated between the different participants so that the animal is transported safely.” says Juan Pablo Marquez, Manager of Cargo Operations in LATAM. 

Likewise, collaborative work was required between the different participants in charge of transferring the White Rhino from Buin Zoo to the Ukumarí Biopark. “When Buin Zoo contacted us and told us about this project, at Bilbao Air Cargo, we were excited about the precious and tremendous challenge. We have been working for years to ensure the wellbeing of Pantaleon is looked after through this process, in order to preserve the species”, said Ana Luisa Bilbao, General Manager of Bilbao Air Cargo.

More than 2 years of conversations and work came to an end with the departure of "Pantaleón", who not only successfully arrived in Colombia, but also completed his quarantine period in his new home and currently shares his exhibit area with the 2 females with which he will have the mission of continuing to repopulate the world with his species. Over time, after a calf rhino is born in said park as a result of that union, it will be sent to another zoo, where he will form a new family and continue the conservation work.

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Media Contact

Kate Jenkins, Be Your Brand | 0490 401 492 | kate@beyourbrand.com.au 

About LATAM Airlines

LATAM Airlines Group South America is the leading airline group in Latin America, with presence in five domestic markets in the region: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, as well as international operations within Latin America and to Europe, the United States, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

The group has a fleet of Boeing 767, 777, 787, Airbus A321, A320, A320neo and A319 aircraft.

LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAM Cargo Colombia and LATAM Cargo Brazil are the cargo subsidiaries of the LATAM group, having a combined fleet of 16 cargo aircraft, which will gradually increase up to a total of 20 cargo aircraft by 2024. These cargo subsidiaries have access to the group's passenger aircraft and operate within the LATAM group's network, as well as on exclusive international routes for cargo transportation. In addition, they offer modern infrastructure and a wide variety of services and service options to meet the needs of their customers.