In 2025, DHL handled several extraordinary international shipments. In February, the company transported a herd of 17 mountain bongos from a conservation center in Loxahatchee, Florida, to a wildlife sanctuary near Mount Kenya, Africa's second-highest peak. These animals, descendants of bongos, had been relocated from Kenya in the 1960s. They traveled 13,000 kilometers to survive, according to the Argentine News Agency. Today, after decades of poaching, habitat loss, and deforestation, the species is critically endangered, with fewer than 100 surviving in the wild. To ensure the safety and comfort of the Florida herd during their journey, the company provided a dedicated flight equipped with custom-built boxes from wildlife protection organizations. The bongos received continuous care from a veterinarian and two species specialists. Their new sanctuary offers a safe environment where the antelopes can reproduce and thrive. Their offspring will one day return to the wild, reclaiming the forests of Mount Kenya as their natural home. DHL recorded this shipment as one of the five most extraordinary it carried in the year. A helmet signed by champions also made headlines. In March 2025, under strict security measures, DHL transported a helmet across continents. Signed by legends, including Michael Schumacher, the helmet traveled from Switzerland to the homes of several champions for them to add their signatures. The route included stops in Ibiza - Spain, London - United Kingdom, and Brasilia - Brazil. From Switzerland to Brazil, a one-of-a-kind helmet embarked on a journey across several continents in March 2025. During its trip, it was signed by all 20 living Formula 1® World Champions, becoming a unique piece of motorsport history. One signature was particularly moving: that of seven-time World Champion Michael Schumacher, who has been out of the public eye since his serious skiing accident in 2013. His wife, Corinna, helped guide his hand to write his initials, “M.S.,” on the helmet, a gesture that deeply moved fans worldwide. Later, a replica of the helmet was presented as a prize in a raffle to help fund the “Race Against Dementia” charity. Founded by three-time Formula 1® World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart, the organization funds research into the prevention and treatment of dementia, a cause close to his heart after his wife's diagnosis. Bear sculptures also made a significant journey. In June 2025, 151 life-sized bear sculptures began a trip of approximately 10,000 kilometers from Wustermark, near Berlin, to Singapore. Made of weather-resistant fiberglass, each sculpture stands about two meters tall. Known as the “United Buddy Bears,” this colorful art project was launched in Berlin in 2002 to spread a message of peace and tolerance. Each bear is painted by an artist from a different country, symbolizing the culture and identity of that nation. DHL was responsible for transporting them. With a total weight of 37 tons, the shipment was packed into eight maritime containers, loaded onto trucks by cranes, and transported to the Port of Hamburg. From there, the bears began their sea voyage to Singapore, where they were exhibited for two months, continuing their mission to promote international understanding. A young male baboon boarded a flight from Bahrain to Djibouti, in East Africa, in November 2025. Saadoon, a young male baboon, had been found abandoned and in critical condition in Bahrain in 2024 at just three months old, in a country where baboons are not native. He was a victim of illegal wildlife trafficking. After over a year of intensive care by an animal welfare organization, he needed a suitable environment for his species. The climate and ecosystem of Djibouti offered exactly that. DHL transported Saadoon from Muharraq in Bahrain to Djibouti airport, where he was taken to a specialized sanctuary near the city of Djibouti. Specialized boxes, veterinary supervision, and an accompanying animal welfare representative minimized stress during the flight. Now, living in a sanctuary adapted to his needs, Saadoon shares a new home with a female baboon, essential for the social bonding of these intelligent primates. His new environment gives him the chance to adapt and, hopefully, one day live freely. Finally, in November 2025, DHL delivered the iconic trophy for the CONMEBOL Libertadores Final, South America's most prestigious club football competition. The journey began at CONMEBOL's headquarters in Luque, Paraguay, and ended in Lima, Peru, where the decisive match was played on November 29. Along with the UEFA Champions League in Europe, the CONMEBOL Libertadores brings together the best clubs from all of South America, each pursuing the ultimate prize and the privilege of representing the continent at the FIFA Club World Cup. Known for its electric atmosphere and passionate fans, the final is a standout sporting event watched by millions worldwide. Standing at about one meter tall, it traveled in a custom metal case with a special security lock and was handled exclusively with gloves to preserve its impeccable shine. Even sealed inside the case, the trophy generated excitement: fans who saw it often gathered to take photos and share the moment. This year, Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro took home the trophy after an unforgettable all-Brazilian showdown against Palmeiras from São Paulo.
