Some special considerations for handlers with the main species requiring attendants during flight.  Please add your comments, especially on

1. HOW TO IDENTIFY STRESS. 

2. WHAT STEPS CAN BE TAKEN TO PREVENT/REDUCE STRESS. 

3.  WHAT SPECIAL PECULIAR REQUIREMENTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. 

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 1-3

DOGS & CATS, FARM LIVESTOCK AND FARMED DEER OR ANTELOPE

 

Antelope – must be tranquillised.  Horns must have protection.  Space allowances specified in IATA LAR. 

Calf. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR. 

Camel.

Cattle – must be crated/uncrated by the shipper/consignee. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR. 

Deer – heads may not protrude. May not be transported in velvet.

Goat – heads and horns may not protrude.

Pig – very susceptible to high temperature.  Should have ad lib water at all times in aircraft. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR.

Sheep. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR.

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 11-23

BIRDS

 

·         Generally do not require to be accompanied.  Generally should travel in semi-darkness. 

·         Will not feed in total darkness. 

·         Signs of distress: loud chirps, huddled together; Too hot: panting, protruding beaks through the ventilation; Hungry: loud pecking of the carton.  Comfortable: soft beeping. 

·         Aggressive birds must be separated. 

·         Perches required for many species. 

Penguins – risk of being bitten. 

Flamingo – must not go down in the container.  May need a sling to prevent this. .

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 24-25

FLIGHTLESS BIRDS (RATITES)

 

Cassowary

Emu – act adversely if crowded together.  Some are unsuitable for transport.  Can cause damage with their toenails and can be fitted with leather boots. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR.

Ostrich – Crating and uncrating must be carried out by the shipper/consignee.  May be loaded loose and driven on/off the aircraft by experienced handlers. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR.

Rhea

·         Shipper must provide experienced persons to accompany. 

·         Separate males from females. 

·         May travel in compatible groups. 

·         Young animals travel best, but must not be shipped singly. 

·         Aggressive birds must be shipped separated. 

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 31-34

MONKEYS AND NON-HUMAN PRIMATES

 

Primates – danger from bites and scratches, ability to open insecure containers, carry human diseases.  Wear protective clothing. 

·         Must be carried in closed containers. 

·         SPF containers must not be opened. 

·         All are CITES species and require documentation. 

·         Monkey ventilation holes must be covered in muslin to prevent handlers inhaling infectious droplets. 

·         Monkeys from different continents may not come into contact with others in aircraft or hangars. 

·         Pregnant females and those suckling young may not be accepted for air shipment. 

·         Separate males from females, especially if females are in oestrus. 

·         Adults must always be crated separately unless previously reared together. 

·         Very susceptible to draughts and temperature extremes. 

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 41-47

REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS

 

·         Only the larger species may require attendants. Space allowances specified in IATA LAR.

·         Straw and other plant material unacceptable in many countries. 

·         Care must be taken not to get bitten. 

·         Avoid temperature extremes.  Hot or cold packs may be used as appropriate. 

 

Crocodiles & Large Lizards. - Direction of the head should be indicated on the packing.

Snakes – if venomous must carry a pictorial warning label. 

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 51-58

AQUATICS

 

·         The smaller species never require attendants.  Since they travel in water, the container must be fully waterproof and labelled LIVE ANIMALS and THIS WAY UP.  Oxygen is usually added to the sealed bag. 

 

·         Large species listed below always require specialist attendants.  They require lanolin or moisturisation during transit.  A hand sprayer is essential.  Mammals in slings travel better across the aircraft. 

Beluga

Dolphin

Dugong

Manatee

Narwhal

Porpoise

Sea Cow

Whale

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 61-66

INSECTS AND BEES, MAGGOTS, WORMS, LEECHES. 

 

·         These species never require attendants, but special consideration must be give to the following: 

·         No insecticides to be used.

·         Smoke should be used to remove feral bees from the outside of containers. 

·         Containers must be very secure to prevent any escape. 

·         Food should be provided in the form of agar and sugar water and must not flow during transit. 

·         Some insects are sensitive to moisture and temperature changes.  Bees generate heat.  The shipper should discuss the conditions to be expected in transit. 

 

CONTAINER REQUIREMENT - 71-83

NON-DOMESTICATED MAMMALS AND LABORATORY ANIMALS

 

·         Ventilation required on at least three sides of the container.

·         No part of the animal may protrude outside the container. 

·         Large species are very strong so require appropriate containers.  Some may need sheet metal interior lining. 

·         Reduce light levels within the container. 

·         Space allowances are specified in IATA LAR for some laboratory species. 

·         Laboratory animals are seldom accompanied but require specialists packing. 

 

The following species may require handlers:

Antelope spp.

Bear – strong claws.

Bison – very dangerous. 

Camelid spp. – Llama, Guanaco. Vicuna, Alpaca, Camel.  Some may be carried in groups provided they have been reared together. 

Carnivores – Do not carry fresh meat as food, since it may not be allowed to enter the destination country.

Deer - wild spp.  May not be carried while in velvet. 

Elephant – very dangerous, especially because of its bulk. 

Equine –wild spp.Ass, zebra, Przewalski

Gazelle – horns should have rubber tube protection

Giraffe – Must not go down in its container. 

Goat - wild spp.

Hippopotamus - very dangerous, especially because of its bulk.

Rhino – very dangerous.  Should be kept in semi-darkness.  May be tranquillised. 

Seal spp. – Do not need to be kept wet, but do need to be kept cool. 

Sheep – wild spp.

Yak – need to be kept cool.