Keeno and Levi arrive in Tasmania

Keeno (left) and Levi (right) explore their new enclosure at Zoodoo zoo.
Keeno (left) and Levi (right) explore their new enclosure at Zoodoo zoo.

The Serval cat might not be as widely known as their distant relations, the Cheetah, but these wild cats are some of nature’s most successful hunters. The Serval cat is native to Africa and can often be found near wetlands and savannahs. Known for their long legs, extended necks and rotating ears, the Serval is highly evolved to hunt in the long grasses and reeds with its perfect spotted camouflage.

Last month Jetpets had the pleasure of transporting not one, but two of these amazing animals. The male Serval cats, Keeno and Levi were flying out of Melbourne airport and were on their way to their new home at Zoodoo Zoo in Tasmania.

The Servals flew in style with special travel crates that allowed them to view their surroundings, receive plenty of airflow and have access to a constant supply of fresh water.

Jetpets Pet Handler, David Garvey poses for a photo while checking on Keeno and Levi before their flight.
Jetpets Pet Handler, David Garvey poses for a photo while checking on Keeno and Levi before their flight.

The Servals destination was a purpose-built enclosure constructed at Zoodoo Zoo and has been created to meet the Servals every need with large logs, tall branches and numerous high up ledges, perfect for perching on and sunbathing.

“Keeno and Levi have adapted to their new surroundings exceptionally well and both were eager to explore their enclosure and climb trees and branches when first released. The two boys will eagerly approach staff to receive lots of pats and cuddles and cannot resist playing with the toys they always bring too”, Elyshia Wignell, Exotic Animal Leader at Zoodoo Zoo.

Levi (left) and Keeno (right) explore their new enclosure after their flight from Melbourne.
Levi (left) and Keeno (right) explore their new enclosure after their flight from Melbourne.

While Servals are often considered solitary animals in the wild these two handsome cats are becoming more accustomed to having company.

“Keeno is the more dominant of the two Servals and Levi can be seen sometimes hanging back a little when Keeno is playing with the keepers. However, Levi is very confident, smoochy and absolutely adores attention, said Elyshia.

While it is more common for us here at Jetpets to transport cats of the domestic variety, the last 18 months have seen us involved in the transport of two White Lions, Caracals, Cheetahs and even a Snow Leopard.

Our experience with Jetpets was wonderful, from organising the booking, to the animal’s care…we had no problems with the service we received. The entire Jetpets team has been a pleasure to deal with from start to finish and we would have no hesitation with sending or receiving animals through this service”, said Elyshia.

Keeno playing among the various logs and perches in his purpose-built enclosure.
Keeno playing among the various logs and perches in his purpose-built enclosure.

Zoodoo Zoo offers the chance to get up close and personal with a wide variety of animals. Offering the chance to “get closer to most animals than you ever thought possible”, Zoodoo Zoo is the perfect destination for a fun family animal experience. If you would like to have your own Serval experience, please click through to Zoodoo zoo’s website in the link below for more information.

http://zoodoo.com.au/

Dreamworld and Jetpets partner to transport “Holden and Kimba”, two rare white Lions

How do you move two male lions over 1400kms?

This was the question posed to us at Jetpets last week when we completed the move of two white lions, “Holden and Kimba”, from their home at Altina Wildlife Park to Dreamworld on the Goldcoast.

The two brothers are part of only a handful of rare white lions in captivity and weigh in over 200kgs each. The lions hail from the Timbavati region in Africa and due to human interference and poaching, have not been sighted in the wild since 2010.

“Welcoming Holden and Kimba to Dreamworld will further help conservation initiatives for cats in the wild through the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation and will raise awareness of the plight of our vulnerable and endangered big cats around the world”, a Dreamworld spokesperson said.

The lions were picked up at Altina Wildlife Park last Wednesday by Jetpets pet handlers and were transported in custom built steel crates to ensure they remained calm and comfortable during transit. The lions personal handlers, who have raised them since they were cubs, also made the journey to check the lions condition during the numerous stops on the way to their holiday destination.

Dreamworld | Jetpets | Holden and Kimba | White Lions
The 200kg plus white lion is lifted on to Jetpets transport truck

“It was a rewarding experience being involved in the move of these majestic lions, our service and relationship with Dreamworld continues to make Jetpets the leader in animal transport in Australia”, Montana Sheridan, National Customer Service Manager.

Guests to Dreamworld will have the opportunity to have a once in a lifetime face to face encounter with the imposing lions from this week through to mid July, when they will be transported back to their home at Altina Wildlife Park.

Dreamworld | Jetpets | Holden and Kimba | White Lions
The brothers exploring their new enclosure at Dreamworld

Stay tuned to Jetpets social media for more information on the brothers return trip next month and future zoo animals moves completed by Jetpets .

Happy (Zoo) Travellers from 2014

This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo's Victoria! This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo’s Victoria!

From lions to lemurs, zebras to penguins – and everything in between!

Some of our ‘Happy (Zoo) Travellers’ this year included Nairibi and Nilo the lions who travelled from Denmark to their new home at Werribee Zoo, Kwasi the zebra who came to Melbourne Zoo from Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand and Feisty the seal, who arrived at Melbourne Zoo from Seaworld on the Gold Coast.This year we helped move all creatures great and small, to and from Zoo's Victoria!

(You may remember Feisty’s story from earlier this year, click here to read more about her journey.)

We love working with Zoo’s Victoria and look forward to taking you behind the scenes of some exciting zoo moves in 2015 – stay tuned!

In the meantime, check out some of our ‘Happy (Zoo) Travellers’ from 2014 in our short video below.

To learn more about Zoo’s Victoria, or to plan your visit to see some of these gorgeous animals, click here: www.zoo.org.au