Airlink flies hermit crab home – from Joburg to East London!

A tiny hermit crab that accidentally found itself hundreds of kilometres away from home has travelled from Johannesburg to Cape Town via an Airlink flight. The tiny sea creature has been named Shell-vis Presley by members of the SPCA.

TINY HERMIT CRAB TAKES AIRLINK FLIGHT HOME

According to the SPCA in Randburg, the shell of a tiny hermit crab – presumed to be empty – was picked up by a child from Kidd’s Beach, a holiday resort town near East London and taken back to Johannesburg.

Once the sea creature was discovered inside, the SPCA was contacted by the child’s family in the hopes of helping the hermit crab stay alive. The animal activists got in contact with local airline, Airlink, who arranged for the crab – hilariously named Shell-vis Presley to return to its seawater home.

Shell-vis was transported in a secure package and safely touched down in East London on Saturday, 15 August. The creature’s trip home was guided by a team of wildlife experts, including those from the Eastern Cape fisheries.

The SPCA shared: “It may have been one tiny crab, but every animal life matters, no matter how small. ❤️”

AIR-TRAVEL OF LIVE ANIMALS

The transportation of live animals by air is governed by the ACSA (Aviation Company of South Africa), SACAA (South African Civil Aviation Authority), IATA (International Air Transport Association), and the Department of Agriculture/port veterinary authorities.

Live animals can travel by air in the cabin, as checked baggage, when allowed, or as specialised cargo, like Shell-vis Presley the hermit crab, depending on the airline and destination. Larger animals are typically transported in secure, ventilated crates in a pressurised, temperature-controlled area of the aircraft.

Before travel, animals may need veterinary checks, vaccinations, health certificates, and import permits. Airlines have strict rules on crate size, species, weather conditions, and sedation. Upon arrival, animals undergo customs and veterinary inspections before being released to their owners.