Hello again, and welcome back to the Packaging Doctor’s office. Today we have a rather unusual case — one that involves not just boxes, but birds, and lots of them. As always, Kite HQ has been buzzing with activity, especially since we celebrated our 13th birthday recently. Yes, you read that right — we’re now a teenager! We had a fun day on the Thames, complete with bubble wrap and boxes, just in case anyone got too excited and fell into the river. It's amazing to think we've been around for 13 years, and with so many long-term team members still with us, it's great to see such a wealth of packaging knowledge all under one roof.

Before we get started, I just want to say how much I love my job. Packaging is more than a career for me — it's a passion. I’ve always enjoyed giving advice, and there are few things more rewarding than solving a tricky packaging problem. While plenty of people love their jobs, and others don’t, there are a rare few who truly have the best job in the world — and I count myself among them.

Today’s case caught my attention because it involved animals — specifically, flamingos. I’m a huge fan of wildlife, and I have the utmost respect for those who work with and protect it. If you're a David Attenborough fan like me, you'll understand what I mean. Anyway, let’s get straight into the case and see how packaging came to the rescue at a zoo.

Dear Packaging Doctor,

I am the Lead Bird Keeper at a zoo, and I look after a wide variety of birds, including penguins, parrots, owls, and of course, the beautiful and exotic flamingos. We’re about to move the flamingos to a new section of the zoo, which has been under construction for some time and is several miles away from their current home.

The challenge is that I need something temporary to transport them in. There are 100 flamingos in total, so obviously, walking them across the park isn't an option. The main issue is their shape — they're over a meter tall, and I can't find a box that fits. Can you help?

Thanks and best wishes, Marianna

Hi Marianna,

Wow, "Find a box for 100 flamingos" is definitely not the kind of request you see every day — your job sounds incredibly interesting! I can totally understand your frustration. Life would be so much easier if there was a “Flamingo Box” manufacturer out there. But the next best thing is a Wardrobe Carton — commonly used in the removals and fashion industries to transport clothes on rails. These boxes are typically 122 cm tall (just over a meter), which makes them perfect for your situation.

You won’t need the plastic rods inside, so those can be removed. However, the double-walled cardboard is strong and durable, ensuring the birds are well protected during transit. For extra security, I’d recommend using masking tape — it’s environmentally friendly and will keep the boxes sealed properly, as the wardrobe-style doors can sometimes open during transport.

I hope the flamingos settle in nicely at their new home. They must be quite the sight!

Best Wishes,

The Packaging Doctor

Note: All the packaging problems our doctor receives are real queries from customers or non-customers.

If you have a packaging problem that needs diagnosing, get in touch on Twitter @kitepackaging or email us directly.

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