Lufthansa Cargo delivers 22-year-old bear Trishka safely to Belgium
Lufthansa Cargo flies 22-year-old bear Trishka from Kazakhstan to a new life at a Belgian sanctuary.
In an impressive demonstration of precision logistics and animal transport expertise, Lufthansa Cargo has successfully flown a 22-year-old bear named Trishka from Kazakhstan to her new home at a bear sanctuary in Belgium. The mission highlights Lufthansa Cargo’s specialist capabilities in handling complex live animal shipments under its Live Animals product offering.
Trishka’s story began two decades ago when she was rescued as a cub after losing her mother to hunters. Raised by a private caretaker named Yelena due to the lack of zoo infrastructure in Kazakhstan, Trishka grew up in a domesticated setting. When Yelena needed to move to Spain for medical reasons, relocating the now elderly bear became a top priority. That’s when Bears in Mind, a Netherlands-based NGO dedicated to bear welfare, began coordinating the relocation.
Transporting a full-grown bear across continents is no ordinary cargo task. It requires strict adherence to international IATA Live Animals Regulations, customized containment, careful environmental controls, and route planning that ensures the well-being of the animal throughout transit. Lufthansa Cargo’s team worked in close coordination with animal welfare experts and ground handlers to ensure that Trishka’s journey was as safe and stress-free as possible.
Special attention was paid to crate design, temperature control, minimal noise exposure, and timing of the flight to limit Trishka’s discomfort. Lufthansa Cargo’s live animal handling hubs in Almaty and Frankfurt ensured seamless transitions, with trained staff monitoring her condition at every stage.
The bear arrived safely in Belgium, where she will now live in a naturalistic sanctuary with other bears, receiving lifelong care. For Lufthansa Cargo, this mission is another milestone in their long-standing commitment to responsible animal transport.
The operation underscores the critical role cargo airlines play not only in global trade but also in enabling humanitarian and wildlife conservation missions across borders.
