1,275 breeding pigs have arrived at Vladivostok in Russia onboard an AirBridgeCargo Airlines (ABC) Boeing 747 charter flight from Montreal in Canada.

ABC was chosen for the flight for its proven expertise in the carriage of live animals. Previous shipments safely delivered by the airline have included rare Akhal-Teke horses for breeding from Russia to China, 105 elite horses from Amsterdam to Moscow, 380 breeding cows from Melbourne to Kazan in Russia as well as top racehorses, walruses, dolphins, brown and polar bears, elephants, great sturgeons and even a whale.

The pigs, weighing an average of 45 kilos each, are to improve the breeding stock at the Vladivostok agricultural center, the largest such center in Primorsky Kray. The pigs arrived safely after a 13 hour journey, which included a stopover in Alaska. ABC ensured the correct cargo cabin temperature and conditions were maintained throughout the flight to ensure the comfort and wellbeing of the animals.

Last year, following the project to transport cows from Melbourne, ABC was awarded full accreditation for livestock transport into and out'of Australia and Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) stations at all Australian airports were notified of the airline's compliance with requirements for the safe air transportation of livestock.