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2003 Press Releases
FedEx Express flies in life-size flesh-on-bone SuperCroc recreation
ALABANG, February 12, 2003 - The SuperCroc, the giant replica of the 110 million-year-old dinosaur-eating crocodile that swam the broad rivers of what is now sub-Saharan Africa was unveiled today at the Festival SuperMall.
FedEx Express (FedEx), the world's largest express transportation company delivered 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 the Philippines today, for an exhibition by National Geographic, in cooperation with Air21, from February 12 to 24, 2003, at the Carousel Court, Festival SuperMall.
The mammoth replica was 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 next transported the Croc to Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, Bangkok and now for the exhibit in the Philippine via its unparalleled FedEx AsiaOne Network®.
"Very few companies have the infrastructure and human resources to transport something like the SuperCroc," said Samuel S. David, Country Manager for FedEx in the Philippines. "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. David.
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 meters 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 February 12 to 24, the SuperCroc exhibition will be held at the Carousel Court, Festival Mall, Alabang.
SuperCroc exhibit is not the first time FedEx has flown huge "creatures". Other interesting shipments that FedEx has express transported in the last four years include live Pandas from Sichuan in China to the National Zoo in Washington D.C., killer whales from China to Subic Bay, humanitarian aid and medical supplies from the U.S. to countries including China, Vietnam and Indonesia.
SuperCroc is part of a global National Geographic Society-wide initiative.
National Geographic Channel Asia (NGCA) is currently distributed to over 32 million 24-hour homes and over 50 million day-part cable homes in Asia. NGCA is a business enterprise owned by National Geographic Television (NGT), FOX Entertainment Group and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Through its shareholders, NGCI contributes to the National Geographic Society's commitment to exploration, conservation and education.
FedEx Express, a US$15 billion subsidiary of FedEx Corp., connects areas that generate 90% of the world's gross domestic product in 24-48 hours with door-to-door, customs-cleared service and a money-back guarantee. The company's unmatched air route authorities and infrastructure make it the world's largest express transportation company, providing fast, reliable and time-definite transportation of more than 3.3 million items to 214 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately 144,000 employees and has more than 45,000 drop-off locations, 640 aircraft and more than 45,000 vehicles in its integrated global network.
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