Alfons the lion heart strikes a deal for conservation

ALFONS TELLIAN was driving to work when Radio 702 put out its call for a sponsorship to enable two rare white lions to be flown from the United States and be relocated to their new home at Ibhubezi Lodge in Northern Province.
Tellian, m.d. of Schenker South Africa, was moved by the plight of the animals, which had been sent originally from Europe to Cincinatti, where they could no longer be accommodated, having to make space for new attractions.
The story hit home, he says. I could just see those two beautiful cats sitting in their cages so far away, perhaps mewing 'go home'. And they are among only 150 white lions in the world today, a species
facing extinction.
So, on arrival at his Isando office, he contacted South African Airways Cargo, where, he says, his buying power was used to obtain a highly favourable transport rate. Then it was a call to Schenker's US headquarters, and the deal was struck.
Jady and Sammy were flown to this country courtesy of Tellian's company, and are now settled in a new home, where greater freedom exists without the walled enclosure of a zoo.
A South African freight forwarder has struck a deal for conservation.