A global operation has successfully returned nearly 1 000 vulnerable and endangered animals to Madagascar, and has evolved into one of the world’s largest repatriations in the fight against illegal wildlife trade.

Early last year, nearly 1 000 tortoises and lemurs were seized as part of an international law enforcement operation while being trafficked through Thailand for likely sale into the international illegal pet trade.

This operation was orchestrated by Thai authorities with the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Justice Commission, resulting in arrests in both Thailand and Madagascar.

Once the seized animals were in the custody of Thai authorities, The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme convened and mobilised members of its Transport Taskforce, namely Qatar Airways Cargo and Airlink, who generously agreed to provide free transport to return the animals to Madagascar.

This undertaking marks one of the largest seizures and repatriations seen globally and is a complex, costly operation that would not be possible without the collaborative effort of multiple global organisations.

The final shipment of the animals arrived in Madagascar on December 12 with all animals being assessed and rehabilitated before being released back into an appropriate environment.

The animals seized included ring-tailed lemurs, common brown lemurs, spider tortoises and radiated tortoises.

Hardus Kuschke, Airlink Executive Manager, Cargo, said: “It was without question a natural decision for Airlink to be part of the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife’s Transport Taskforce in the repatriation of some of the world’s most vulnerable and endangered animals back to their natural habitats in Madagascar. Playing our part in the global fight against illegal wildlife trade underpins our airline's values. Airlink is a responsible corporate citizen that engenders environmental sustainability across the entire transportation and tourism value chain – now and for future generations.”