Imperial Truck Rental, an Imperial Logistics Company, Sponsors Road Trip of Taiping Four Gorillas

Imperial Truck Rental transports Gorillas from Pretoria to Oliver Tambo International for final stretch.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 29 November 2007 – Imperial Logistics today announced the sponsorship from Imperial Truck Rental for the road transportation of the Taiping four gorillas from the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa in Pretoria to Air Alternatives, Oliver Tambo International for their flight back to Cameroon. Gorillas, Izan, Abbey, Tinu and Oyin are starting their journey home on November 29th on a dedicated crane truck from Imperial Truck Rental, an Imperial Logistics company.

For a company that has built its reputation on the safe transportation of a wide range of goods, from fruits and fresh produce to hazardous and highly explosive products, the transportation of the four celebrated crowd-pleasers on the first leg of their trip back to Cameroon, is all in a day’s work. The gorillas, each in their own cage weighing about half a ton in total, will be specially loaded and transported in the early evening.

"It’s always a privilege for Imperial Logistics to participate in projects of this nature," said Dougie Truter, Marketing Director of Imperial Logistics "We're not only committed to our customers and the utilization of our assets in end to end supply chain solutions, but also to support animal welfare and other projects in the safe-keeping of our environment."

The four infant gorillas were smuggled in January 2002 from Cameroon via Nigeria to Malaysia’s Taiping Zoo. When the gang that smuggled the four primates was exposed by the International Primate Protection League (IPPL) Malaysia had to give them up, but in stead of sending them back to Cameroon, they were sent to South Africa for safe-keeping. As the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) states that confiscated animals should be returned to their country of origin, if so requested and where the animals can be properly cared for, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and other NGOs have been campaigning ever since to have the gorillas returned to Limbe Wildlife Centre in Cameroon.

"We truly appreciate Imperial Truck Rental’s contribution," said Christina Pretorius, spokesperson for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). "Having most suitable vehicles and the required capability, and being fully committed to wildlife conservation, Imperial Truck Rental is becoming one of our trusted partners in projects like this."

"We are delighted to take care of the Taiping four on their way from Pretoria to the airport. Working with the IFAW to have them home by Christmas is a joy," said Eileen Caramanus, Managing Director of Imperial Truck Rental. "With our wide range of specialized vehicles we are geared to handle any unique and highly valuable cargo with utmost care.”

Imperial Truck Rental has been involved in wildlife conservation for a number of years. Working closely with Skova Research, the company sponsored and handled the transportation of indigenous owls from Johannesburg to Hazyview in Mpumalanga during the relocation of the Owl Rehabilitation Centre. Previously Imperial Truck Rental was also involved in the transportation of guinea pigs that required strict temperature control and supported the drive in the cleanup of oil-soaked African penguins during the MV Treasure oil spill off Cape Town in 2000. The spill was at the time the world’s worst ever animal welfare disaster.

About Imperial Logistics
Imperial Logistics, 100% owned by Imperial Holdings, is a leading 3PL supply chain management company and provides customized supply chain solutions and value-added services to customers and potential clients in almost every industry. Imperial Logistics is home to more than 60 operating companies and in Sub-Saharan Africa operations are segmented into three key business divisions, namely Transport and Warehousing, Consumer Products and Specialized Freight. Imperial Logistics International focuses on European markets and comprises of four operating units, namely Panopa Logistik, Neska, Imperial Reederei and Brouwer Shipping. For more information on Imperial Logistics, please visit www.imperiallogistics.co.za.

About Imperial Truck Rental
Imperial Truck Rental, wholly owned by Imperial Logistics, is renowned for excellence, reliability and quality of service and products in the South African transport industry. The company’s scope of business is the rental of commercial vehicles, ranging from 1-Ton to 8-Ton trucks, 4x4 single and double cabs, Crane Trucks, Tautliners, Insulated Panelvans and Refrigerated Trucks. In addition, Imperial Truck Rental has a dedicated Film Transport Division with vehicles rigged for camera, lighting, grips and wardrobes, and has been involved in almost every major feature film, television series and numerous commercials made in South Africa. For more information on Imperial Truck Rental, please visit www.imperialtruckrental.co.za.