Transporting a bear from New Jersey to Zurich is no simple task. But it was one that the Swiss WorldCargo team took on.

Across the Atlantic

The journey was meticulously planned and began at Raymi’s previous home at a U.S. Zoo.  There, the young spectacled bear Raymi was carefully placed into a silver container with special air holes. The container, with Raymi inside, weighed a total of 255 kilograms.

From the zoo, Raymi, who was born in 2022, was transported by van to the cargo warehouse at Newark Airport in New Jersey. There, the Swiss WorldCargo team eagerly awaited the special passenger.

Timing was crucial: Raymi had to arrive at the airport by 6:30 PM for the flight to take off at 10:00 PM. Once all the formalities were completed, it was time for the next crucial step: the flight across the Atlantic. “It was something very special to have a live spectacled bear as cargo. We wanted to make sure everything went perfectly,” says Beverly Khan Pal, Sales Executive, on behalf of the Swiss WorldCargo team in Newark.

After a nearly seven-hour flight, the plane landed gently in Zurich. While the team from Zoo Zurich  was already waiting for its special guest, the Swiss WorldCargo team oversaw the safe unloading of Raymi. The final leg of his journey was ahead: the drive from the airport to his new home in Zurich.

 

Preparation and planning for the big journey

The international transport of wildlife requires more than just a cargo ticket. Every step of the documentation process was crucial to comply with laws protecting endangered species. Veterinary certificates, import and export permits, as well as customs procedures, had to be organized and completed in advance. “We began coordinating four months before the transport,” says Alcira Hernandez-Tineo, Customer Service Agent at Swiss WorldCargo.

The Swiss WorldCargo team reviewed all aspects – from transport preparation to creating a stress-free environment for the special “cargo passenger.”

 

Health comes first

Before his departure, Raymi underwent a thorough health check to ensure he was fit for the long journey. A veterinarian and a zoo keeper accompanied him throughout the transport, ensuring proper temperature regulation and that he had the right food and fresh water.

“They would have preferred to fly with the bear in the cargo area of the aircraft, but we had to explain that they had to fly in the passenger section instead,” Beverly Khan Pal says with a smile.

The two experts made sure Raymi felt secure. They knew exactly when he would sleep. “Therefore, they were confident that he would handle the flight well,” explains Beverly Khan Pal.

 

Arrival in Switzerland and a new home at Zoo Zurich

After his safe arrival in Zurich, Raymi was taken to Zoo Zurich, where he is now adjusting to the spectacled bears habitat after a period of mutual acquaintance. “Zoo Zurich places great importance on species-appropriate care,” explains Dominik Ryser, Head of Communication at Zoo Zurich. Raymi’s new homeis designed to closely mimic the spectacled bear's natural habitat.

“It is laid out like a forest, with a waterfall, a small lake, and caves for resting. The bears find their own food and can climb, which they naturally enjoy.”

Dominik Ryser adds, “To continue breeding and strengthen the reserve population, the male spectacled bear is moving to Zoo Zurich . As a male from the USA, he is particularly valuable because his genes are missing from the European zoo population.”

The transport of Raymi was a first for the Swiss WorldCargo team – and a complete success. “It was a very special mission that will remain in all of our memories for a long time,” proudly sums up Beverly Khan Pal.

In Zurich, the young male bear explores his new home as well as the two female bears living with him under the watchful eyes of large and small visitors – and it remains a unique chapter in the mission of Swiss WorldCargo.