It is the first time ABC has been asked to carry dolphins and walruses and the success of the movement from Moscow to Fu Shun, China has resulted in plans for further shipments in the coming months.

AirBridge, which operates nine Boeing 747 freighter flights a week to Shanghai and Beijing from Europe and Russia, co-ordinated the flight with the TST freight agency in Moscow. For the operation, two 1.3 metre deep swimming pools were used to transport the adult female and two baby dolphins. The walruses all travelled in separate cages.

To ensure a comfortable flight for the mammals, the temperature inside the cargo cabin was kept at a constant +10°C - 15°C. The dolphins and walruses were accompanied throughout the flight by trained veterinary staff.

The flight was organised by the Anapa-based Utrhshsky Dolphinarium.

Anton Khodakovsky, Director and area manager for European Russia and CIS, said: “Although dolphins and walruses obviously travel by air cargo all over the world, this was a first for ABC. Most importantly, our customer was so pleased with the service and cost efficiency we were able to provide, they are already planning their next flight with us.”