Tierpark Berlin and the WWF are returning European bison to the new habitat in Azerbaijan National Park with Silk Way West Airlines

Bison are the latest live animal shipment to be safely transported by Silk Way West Airlines from Frankfurt-Hahn to Baku onboard of B747 scheduled flight.

The total 12 animals were accompanied by veterinaries and representatives of the WWF Caucasia and Tierpark Berlin to ensure their health and comfort during 5 hour of inflight journey.

Before the bison's left for their new home, they were equipped with modern GPS and VHF tracking collars. "This technology will enable us to trace their whereabouts and accompany them on their journey through life" explains the Tierpark's Zoological Director Christian Kern.

This summer, the small herd will be released along with bison from other European zoos into Azerbaijan's Shahdag National Park, located at the foot of the Caucasus Mountains. The wild cattle are currently getting used to their new surroundings in a fenced area. "The reintroduction of species that are threatened with extinction or that have already become extinct in their natural habitat illustrates very clearly the important role of zoos today," says Zoo and Tierpark Director Dr. Andreas Knieriem.

"This reintroduction project sees the European bison return to its original habitat", explains Aurel Heidelberg, Caucasus Programme Officer at WWF Germany. The overall project is financed by KfW Development Bank as part of a cross-border nature conservation program of the German government. It was initiated by the WWF, EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquariums), and IDEA Public Union, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic and WWF Azerbaijan office. Bison are the latest live animal shipment to be safely transported by Silk Way West Airlines from Frankfurt-Hahn to Baku onboard of B747 scheduled flight