When people think of DHL Group, they often picture parcels, pallets, and packed shipping containers. But the company’s capabilities extend far beyond the usual. In 2024, DHL managed some truly remarkable shipments that showcase its global reach and versatility.
Here are five standout examples of DHL’s most extraordinary deliveries this year.
Rescuing Chocolat: A Disabled Chimpanzee’s Journey from Kenya to the UK
In August, DHL transported Chocolat, a disabled chimpanzee, from Kenya to her new home at the Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre in Dorset, UK. Chocolat’s story began in 2001 when she was rescued as an infant after surviving the illegal bushmeat trade in Congo, where her mother was tragically killed. Her injuries from shotgun pellets left her with a paralysed hand and foot.
After more than two decades of care in Kenya, Chocolat needed a permanent sanctuary to provide specialized support. DHL treated her relocation as a top-priority mission. Her journey started with a flight from Nairobi to East Midlands Airport, followed by a road trip to Dorset.
To ensure her comfort, DHL designed a custom crate stocked with her favorite snacks, including fruit and sweet potatoes. A team of animal care experts accompanied Chocolat, ensuring a smooth journey. Upon arrival, she was introduced to six other chimpanzees, giving her a sense of family for the first time since her days in the wild.
Delivering 007: Iconic James Bond Memorabilia Travels Across Borders
Also in August, DHL transported more than 130 pieces of James Bond memorabilia on a 330km journey from the Bond in Motion exhibition in Prague to the 007 Action display in Vienna. The shipment included 27 cars, eight motorcycles, costumes, parachutes, and even James Bond’s driving license.
The star of the collection? The iconic Aston Martin DB5, featured in eight Bond films from Goldfinger to No Time to Die. Other highlights included the high-speed ice dragster from Die Another Day and the helicopter destroyed in Spectre.
DHL utilized 22 trucks, including specialized enclosed carriers with hydraulic lifts, to ensure the items were transported securely. The operation highlighted DHL’s expertise in handling priceless and fragile cargo.
Wings of Conservation: Relocating 163 Vultures in South Africa
In January, DHL played a key role in one of the largest vulture relocation efforts in history. The company transported 163 critically endangered Cape and African White-backed vultures from a rehabilitation center near Pretoria to the Shamwari wildlife reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
The operation, spanning over 1,000km, was a collaborative effort involving non-profit organizations and over 50 volunteers. Using two 34-tonne trucks and five support vehicles, DHL completed the 18-hour journey with precision, ensuring the birds were transported safely and comfortably in custom crates. This relocation is part of broader efforts to restore African vulture populations, giving these majestic birds a chance to thrive in the wild.
A Symphony in Motion: The London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Instruments Tour Japan
September saw DHL take on the complex task of transporting 60 valuable instruments belonging to the London Philharmonic Orchestra for their Japan tour. The journey, covering approximately 9,500km, required meticulous planning to ensure the instruments arrived in perfect condition.
Among the cargo were double basses, cellos, timpani, and a harp, all housed in custom-built, shock-absorbing cases. Temperature control between 17°C and 21°C was maintained throughout the trip to prevent damage to the instruments’ delicate wooden components.
The orchestra’s tour began in Hamamatsu and continued through Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with DHL ensuring every instrument reached each venue on time and in pristine condition.
Lifesaving Logistics: Delivering a Mobile Heart Clinic to El Salvador
In February, DHL made medical history by transporting the world’s first mobile heart clinic from Bremen, Germany, to Zacamil, El Salvador. Developed by the German non-profit Kinderherzen, the clinic offers lifesaving surgery for children with congenital heart defects in areas lacking specialized healthcare facilities.
The shipment included 11 containers, transported by sea and road across a distance of more than 9,000km. Once in El Salvador, the clinic was assembled in just 15 days, allowing international surgeons to provide free treatments to young patients.
After completing its mission in El Salvador, the mobile clinic was transported to Burundi, East Africa, where it continues to provide critical care.
DHL’s extraordinary shipments in 2024 exemplify its commitment to innovation, precision, and making a positive global impact—proving that their work goes far beyond conventional logistics.