Emirates Sky Cargo Boeing 777-200 freighter A6-EFM arrived at Auckland this morning direct from Colombo, Sri Lanka as UAE9300 carrying a rather unique consignment - an 8 year old Asian elephant named "Anjalee". After offloading the precious cargo the 777 positioned to Sydney using the same flight number. Emirates 777 freighters are not a common sight in NZ - the first visit by one was in October 2013 when A6-EFJ spent time at Auckland to deliver two AW139 helicopters. The most recent visit by a freighter was in December last year when A6-EFO visited three times carrying stage equipment for Katy Perry from Brisbane to Auckland.
Anjalee was then flown to the small island of Niue where a special quarantine facility has been set up and where she will remain for the next three months. Transportation was provided from Auckland to Niue by Royal New Zealand Air Force Lockheed C130H Hercules NZ7001 with the 50 year old transport positioning from Whenuapai to Auckland around sunrise as "Kiwi 727". The Hercules has recently received a large decal to commerate the types longevity with the RNZAF.
