Russian scientists have started an operation to reintroduce buffalo to northeastern Siberia, where the species once thrived but became extinct 5 thousand years ago.
The founding population of 30 specimens will be flown to Yakutsk from Edmonton in western Canada.
The animals will travel for 8 hours in air conditioned containers supplied with food and water.
The operation was agreed in 1994 at a meeting between the Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and several Russian governors.