Logwin transports special loudspeaker for University of Vienna
Supersize-shipment for elephant research destined for South Africa’s third largest national park with a size of 180,000 hectares
Elephants can communicate even over great distances using acoustic signals that are inaudible to the human ear. In order to investigate this form of communication more closely, the University of Vienna has had a special loudspeaker built – in supersize format. From August onwards it will be based in Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa, where it will send out low-frequency sounds of other elephants in order to observe the reactions of members of the species. Logwin transported the highly sensitive equipment to the elephants over several legs by truck and aircraft – and ensured that the high demands placed on protective measures were observed over the entire journey.
The so-called subwoofer weighs 200 kilograms and its longest side measures 1.73 meters. “What is special about the loudspeaker is not its size or its weight – it is also highly sensitive,” says Sales Manager Manuel Gramann, who is responsible for the project at Logwin. “It mustn’t be turned on its head or exposed to excessive vibration.”
This is why Logwin first took the loudspeaker from the university to a packaging company, where it was inserted into a special custom-fit wooden case. A protection device was fitted to the exterior to allow subsequent checks to be made on whether the consignment had been handled as per instructions.
Besides the loudspeaker, Logwin also transported extra technical equipment such as amplifier and cabling, which added around 70 kilograms to the total weight. Logwin transported the entire shipment from the packaging firm to Vienna Airport, from where it continued its journey to Port Elizabeth as air freight. As equipment for scientific purposes, the loudspeaker was exempt from customs inspections – Logwin had already completed the appropriate formalities prior to departure. Logwin’s office in South Africa took receipt of the consignment at Port Elizabeth Airport and now arranges for all further handling and onward transport to the national park.
Project leader Dr Angela Stöger and PhD student Anton Baotic are conducting the University of Vienna’s elephant project as biologists and animal communications researchers. Anton Baotic was in charge of the elaborate arrangements for the loudspeaker’s transportation, which required him to grapple with an subject that is exotic to him and yet fascinating: logistics.
Quelle: oevz.com