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2002 Press Releases
FedEx Express flies in life-size flesh-on-bone SuperCroc recreation
BANGKOK, August 8, 2002 - FedEx Express (FedEx) has delivered the giant replica of a 110 million-year-old dinosaur-eating crocodile that swam the broad rivers of what is now sub-Saharan Africa. The world's largest express transportation company delivered the 11 meter long, 1.5 meter wide, and 1 - 1.8 meter high, flesh-on-bone recreation of Sarcosuchus imperator (meaning "flesh crocodile emperor" and nicknamed SuperCroc) to Bangkok on board a specially chartered FedEx MD-11 aircraft from Subic Bay, the Philippines, early this morning. FedEx delivered the SuperCroc for an exhibition by National Geographic Channel (NGC) at the Mall Bangkapi from August 16-28, 2002.
The mammoth replica is being transported across the region and is at times a delicate logistical exercise. FedEx took extra special care with this particular cargo. The replica was carefully cradled inside its purpose-built packaging measuring up to 305 cm (L) X 153 cm (W) X 122 cm (H). FedEx then flew the model from Denver, Colorado, USA to Sydney, Australia, the first stop of its tour across Asia. FedEx next transported the Croc to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. For its last stop in Asia, the giant shipment was flown to Bangkok via the unparalleled FedEx AsiaOne Network®.
"Very few companies have the infrastructure and human resources to transport something the size of SuperCroc," said Rhicke S. Jennings, Managing Director FedEx Express Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia & Myanmar . "With a superior network of aircraft, direct flights through the FedEx AsiaOne Network® and a team of FedEx people who 'live to deliver', FedEx has the ability to handle the logistics for the SuperCroc tour across Asia."
"FedEx is proud to be associated with National Geographic Channel to present SuperCroc. FedEx and NGC share many of the same core values: dedication to excellence, innovation through new discoveries, connecting the globe and a pioneering spirit," said Mr Jennings.
The fossilized remains of one of the largest crocodilian species to have ever lived was discovered by a team led by National Geographic Society's Explorer-in-Residence Paul Sereno. Sereno led the first expedition to Gadoufaoua, Niger in 1997 where the two-meter fossilized giant skull of SuperCroc was excavated in the Sahara, along with 18,000 kilograms of fossils. Sereno said that the snout and teeth were designed for grabbing prey that may have included other smaller dinosaurs.
"As crocodiles generally consume 20 percent of their body weight in one meal, it is likely SuperCroc would have had no trouble devouring a dinosaur for dinner," Sereno said.
It was not until the fourth expedition in 2000 that Sereno's team of 17 finally unearthed the 11-meter almost-complete fossil. Sereno determined that a mature SuperCroc took as long as 50 to 60 years to reach an adult length of up to 11 metres and a weight of as much as 10 tons which is 10 times that of any living crocodile. Despite its enormous size, much of the time, the SuperCroc was hiding 95 percent of its body under water.
From Friday August 16 - 28 , the SuperCroc exhibition, which includes the life-size replica and interactive elements including family activities on the weekends, will be at the MCC Hall, 4th floor of The Mall Bangkapi.
SuperCroc exhibit is not the first time FedEx has flown huge "creatures". Other interesting shipments that FedEx has express transported in the last four years include live Pandas from Sichuan in China to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., killer whales from China to Subic Bay, humanitarian aid and medical supplies from the U.S. to countries including China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
SuperCroc is part of a global National Geographic Society-wide initiative that includes the world television premiere on National Geographic Channel. In Bangkok, the "Croc Around the Clock" series will be aired on National Geographic Channel on UBC Ch 42 from August 10 at 6 pm to August 11 at 6 pm. A re-run of SuperCroc Series will be telecast on August 26, 2002, 7 pm and on the New Explorer program Channel 9, on August 19-20 from 9.00 -9.30 pm.
National Geographic Channel Asia (NGCA) is currently distributed to over 32 million 24-hour homes and over 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia. NGCA is a business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television (NGT), FOX Entertainment Group and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Through its shareholders, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.
With annual revenues of $21 billion, FedEx Corp. is the premier global provider of transportation, e-commerce and supply chain management services. The company offers integrated business solutions through a network of subsidiaries operating independently, including: FedEx Express, the world's largest express transportation company; FedEx Ground, North America's second largest provider of small-package ground delivery service; FedEx Freight, the largest U.S. provider of regional less-than-truckload freight services; FedEx Custom Critical, the world's largest provider of expedited time-critical shipments; and FedEx Trade Networks, a provider of customs clearance, international freight forwarding and trade facilitation.
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