As part of its WeQare initiative, Qatar Airways Cargo has saved six young lions from illegal wildlife trade, working with Animal Defenders International (ADI). The carrier’s chief cargo officer, Mark Drusch, said they were proud to have assisted ADI in bringing the lions home. He added that the WeQare Rewild the Planet initiative was their commitment to transporting wildlife and endangered species back to their natural habitats, free of charge.
ADI rescued the so-called 'Kuwait 6' lions, comprising four males (Muheeb, Saham, Shujaa, and Saif) and two females (Dhubiya and Aziza), from Kuwait Zoo after Kuwait government officials reached out to them for help. The lions are now safe and sound at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in Johannesburg.
Founder and president of ADI, Jan Creamer, thanked Qatar Airways Cargo for bringing the wild animals home, where they can live a normal life at the sanctuary.
Senior translator at the Animal Welfare Department of the Public Authority of Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources in Kuwait, Alzahra Aljanabi, emphasised the risks involved in keeping wild animals, especially predators, in homes, and the need for vigilance to fight wildlife trafficking.
The Doha-based airline recently opened its Animal Centre and relaunched its 'Live product'. Using a fleet of 28 Boeing 777 freighters and 230 belly-hold planes, the carrier transported more than 550 000 animals in 2023, STAT Media Group reported.
