A long reach

Membrey Transport and Crane Hire in Melbourne, Australia, moved a rare Rothschild giraffe from the Melbourne Zoo in Victoria to the Mogo Zoo on the southern coast of New South Wales, 800 km away.

A Terex AT-20 pick and carry crane was chosen for its high road speed and pick and carry capability without outriggers, the manufacturer said.

The giraffe, named Tanzi, is 4.8 metres tall and was relocated as part of the regional breeding programme.

"We have moved a variety of large and small exotic zoo animals for around 30 years,” said Craig Membrey of Membrey’s Transport. “For this move, we were required to lift and transport the animal in a specially made giraffe crate and selected our Terex AT-20 pick and carry crane as the best equipment for this task."

Prior to the move, Tanzi underwent more than two months of "crate training" Melbourne Zoo said, to minimise stress during her transportation.

“Moving animals of this size requires detailed route planning, such as avoiding low bridges, while also ensuring minimum impact on the animal by completing the move in the shortest possible time," Membrey said.

“The Terex AT-20 Pick and Carry crane was ideal for this application. Its smooth controls gave the crane operator the ability to position the crate with gentle, fluid movements throughout the operation.

"These highly versatile road cranes can be dispatched quickly to wherever they are needed via any road, and have the manoeuvrability, power and versatility to lift almost anything, anywhere,” Membrey added.