Press Releases
FedEx Express flies in life-size flesh-on-bone SuperCroc recreation
HONG KONG, November 26, 2001 - FedEx Express' (FedEx) latest delivery
was 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 recently carried 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 Hong Kong for an exhibition by National
Geographical Channel (NGC).
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 then transported the Croc to Hong Kong and it will fly
the giant shipment to other cities in Asia including Singapore,
Kuala Lumpur and Taipei via its unparalleled FedEx AsiaOne Network®
between December 2001 to March 2002.
'Very few companies have the infrastructure and human resources
to transport something the size of SuperCroc,' said David L. Cunningham
Jr., President of FedEx Express, Asia Pacific. '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. Cunningham.
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 Monday November 26, 4.00 pm, the SuperCroc exhibition which
includes the life-size replica and features interactive elements
including family activities on the weekends will be at the New World
Plaza's Ground Floor at New World Center, Tsim Sha Tsui.
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