Galt's Panda Express

pandas being loaded on to galt trailer

Galt Transport carried out the first stage of the journey the UK’s only giant pandas made back to China recently.  The Dumbarton based haulier took the much-loved animals from Edinburgh Zoo, their home for the last 12 years to Edinburgh Airport where they made their onward journey by air.

National press watched on as the special cargo was loaded onto the haulier’s new 6x2 Volvo FH Globetrotter with 34ft urban curtain sided trailer.  Weighing a total of just over 1 tonne the pandas - Yang Guang and Tian Tian - travelled in specially made crates to protect them from the sights and sounds of the journey. 

the pandas TRAVELED in specialist crates

The bears have been popular with visitors from all over the UK since they were loaned to the UK from China in 2011.  Many admirers of these special animals have made a trip to Edinburgh to say their fond farewells in recent weeks.  Visitor access to the pandas was restricted in the days leading up to their departure to allow them to prepare for their journey. 

Weeks of planning and arrangements were required to ensure the journey was as straight forward as possible to ensure minimal disruption for the animals.  The trailer was loaded by a Manitou telehandler by Zoo staff and Galt driver Dougie Gill drove the precious cargo through the streets of the capital to the city’s airport.  The animals will be accompanied by their keeper and a vet on the flight to China to allow them to settle into their new surroundings.

national press gathered to see the pandas leave