The Pilatus PC-12, typically known for transporting passengers and cargo, recently embarked on a rather unusual mission – flying crocodiles above the clouds. In an extraordinary operation, 16 young West African crocodiles were transported from Geneva to Morocco aboard Fly7’s PC-12 Cargo, marking a critical step in reintroducing these reptiles to their natural habitat after a 60-year absence from Morocco.
The crocodiles, bred by the AQUATIS Aquarium Vivarium in Lausanne, Switzerland, were initially set to travel on a standard scheduled flight. However, just before departure, the AQUATIS team, led by Michel Ansermet, Director of the aquarium, was informed that the temperature requirements essential for the reptiles’ safety could not be guaranteed. With the animals already loaded and ready to go, the team faced a sudden logistical challenge at Geneva Airport.
A Last-Minute Airlift Solution
With no time to lose, Michel Ansermet and Davide Staedler, President of the AQUATIS Foundation, turned to Fly7, an operator with a fleet that includes three PC-24 jets and over 20 PC-12s. Fly7 quickly dispatched the Global Airlift Solutions PC-12 Cargo to Geneva. The young crocodiles, safely housed in special transport boxes, were loaded onto the aircraft as soon as it arrived. By the next morning, the reptiles had landed safely in Morocco.
“Without the PC-12 Cargo and the swift response from the Fly7 team, this mission would not have been possible,” said Davide Staedler. “The animals would have suffered unnecessarily, jeopardising a project that has been years in the making.”
Preparing for a Wild Return
Upon arrival, the crocodiles were taken to a Nature Conservation Center in Agadir, on Morocco’s south Atlantic coast. There, they will remain under observation for several months to ensure they adapt well to their new environment. The plan is to release them into the wild in June 2025, each equipped with a GPS collar to provide scientists with valuable data about their movements and behaviour.
This groundbreaking project is the first of its kind in Africa and only the second worldwide. The AQUATIS Foundation, which relies on donations to sustain this initiative, is committed to seeing the mission through to its successful completion. The reintroduction of West African crocodiles represents a significant step forward in conservation and biodiversity restoration.
