Moving 1,400 alpacas across hemispheres on five 777 freighters marked the world’s first mass airlift of its kind—a mission with no blueprint and high stakes.

Alpacas’ sensitivity posed critical challenges: ensuring stable oxygen and temperature at 30,000 feet while preventing stress from noise and pressure changes. How could they remain calm mid-flight?

NCL engineers swiftly designed custom pallets, each securing four alpacas against turbulence. Climate-control and oxygen systems were installed, with real-time monitoring. To counter stress, alpacas underwent pre-flight engine noise desensitization, while tranquilizers stood ready.

Through five transatlantic flights spanning 20,000+ km, all 1,400 alpacas arrived safely. When the final alpaca stepped onto Qingdao soil, the trans-Pacific “Camel Route” was sealed—an extraordinary triumph against all odds.