Seun is travelling to Wellington Zoo in a crate via road and sea. Photo / John McCombe
It's a tall order for even the most diligent of travel agents. A one-way journey from Christchurch to Wellington is not as easy as grabbing the first direct flight when you stand 2.8m tall and weigh 300kg.
Seun the giraffe's first big outing is taking him by road
and by sea from his birthplace, Christchurch's Orana Wildlife Park, to a new home at Wellington Zoo. It is taking a big team effort.
Although sad to see him go, Orana Park staff who farewelled Seun yesterday know he has a big role to play in Wellington, where it is hoped he will breed the next generation with the help of two resident female giraffes.
After weeks of preparation Seun, 1 1/2, was housed in a special crate, and a crane was brought in to gently lift it on to the back of a truck for an hour's drive to the Port of Lyttelton.
From there it was another crane transfer on to a boat, before setting sail on a 12-hour journey to Wellington Harbour, and a final road trip in the capital to his new home.
"It's taken a good two months of conditioning him to feel comfortable about going into the crate," said animal keeper Kirsten Ferlazzo. "They are animals of flight, so they don't go into caves naturally."
Once in motion on the road, he would have been far more comfortable. "It's a lot like when babies will stop crying if you take them for a drive."
Seun, whose Afrikaans name translates to "son" or "my boy", was very gentle, bright, trusting of his keepers and had an "exceptionally sweet nature", Ms Ferlazzo said.
Upon arrival at Wellington Zoo today, Seun will move into a new African Savannah habitat that opened in December.
