Rumah Charis Children Come Face-to-Face with SuperCroc
KUALA LUMPUR, February 18, 2002 - It was an awesome sight and a thrilling experience for 27 children of Rumah Charis when they came face-to-face with Sarcosuchus Imperator or SuperCroc, a dinosaur-eating crocodile as big as a city bus that lived over 110 million years ago in what is now sub-Saharan Africa.
The SuperCroc exhibition by National Geographic Channel (NGC) at the Mid Valley Megamall was delivered to Kuala Lumpur by FedEx Express (FedEx), the world's largest express transportation company.
On hand to welcome the children was Ramesh Kumar Singam, Managing Director of FedEx Express Malaysia and Brunei who said, "We are extremely delighted that the children of Rumah Charis will have an exciting and educational tour of SuperCroc . These children have a special place in our hearts ever since we made a special donation to them last year in conjunction with FedEx Malaysia's 8th anniversary."
In addition to viewing the 11 meter long, 1.5 meter wide and 1-1.8 meter high flesh-on-bone recreation of SuperCroc , the children also had a chance to touch and handle some live baby crocodiles and take part in a crocodile colouring competition.
According to Mr Kumar Singam, the mammoth SuperCroc replica is being 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 and Kuala Lumpur, and it will fly the giant shipment to other cities in Asia including Taipei via its unparalleled FedEx AsiaOne Network®.
"Very few companies have the infrastructure and human resources to transport something the size of SuperCroc ," said Mr Kumar Singam. "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 Kumar Singam.
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 metres 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 Saturday February 16 - 26, 2002 the SuperCroc exhibition, which includes the life-size replica and interactive elements including family activities on the weekends, will be at Mid Valley Megamall.
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 that includes the world television premiere on National Geographic Channel. In Kuala Lumpur, SuperCroc premiered on the National Geographic Channel in December 2001. A re-run will be telecast on the National Geographic Channel on February 25, 2002.
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 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 211 countries each working day. FedEx employs approximately 143,500 employees and has more than 45,000 drop-off locations, 640 aircraft and more than 45,000 vehicles in its integrated global network.
