Earlier than their massive transfer, the pair attended an elaborate farewell ceremony of their honor in China’s Sichuan Province on Wednesday, which U.S. and Chinese language dignitaries attended together with San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance President and CEO Paul Baribaul and Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor.
Three-year-old feminine panda Xin Bao is “light and well-behaved,” whereas male panda Yun Chuan, 4, is “sensible and energetic,” the China Conservation and Analysis Middle for the Large Panda stated in a press release, including that the duo would get pleasure from “rigorously ready contemporary bamboo, bamboo shoots, fruit, greens, and specifically made steamed buns” throughout their flight.
The duo will even be accompanied by a number of skilled nutritionists and vets, and as soon as on the zoo, the Chinese language specialists will keep for round three months to assist the pair by the quarantine and adjustment interval, the middle added.
The pandas’ relocation is a part of ongoing efforts between the 2 nations to guard the mammals, officers from each nations stated. Pandas are now not thought of endangered however their standing is listed as “weak,” in accordance with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The animals are additionally star points of interest in zoos in america — and have lengthy been related to China’s diplomatic efforts.
China is residence to the one pure habitat for pandas, and panda diplomacy may be traced way back to A.D. 685. Since then the mammals have been despatched to nations world wide, serving as strategic goodwill ambassadors, trying to melt China’s picture overseas. In latest many years, China has lent pandas on renewable 10-year contracts for a charge, with all cubs born overseas to be despatched again earlier than they flip 4.
The bears usually turn into celebrities within the course of — whereas the departure of three pandas from the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo in Washington final 12 months triggered tearful farewells and fears america would ultimately be left with no pandas.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance leaders joined esteemed dignitaries and conservation leaders in China for a farewell ceremony honoring Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the 2 large pandas coming to San Diego Zoo. pic.twitter.com/u16ujsIjU0
— San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (@sandiegozoo) June 26, 2024
Yun Chuan is the son of Zhen Zhen, who was born at San Diego Zoo in 2007, the San Diego Wildlife Alliance stated.
The pandas will probably be given “a number of weeks” to regulate to their new environment earlier than occurring show to members of the general public, alliance stated, including that the zoo would share details about how you can see the duo as soon as well being care groups deemed the pandas prepared to fulfill the general public.
WWF estimates that simply 1,860 large pandas stay within the wild, going through threats that embrace local weather change, lack of meals provides and habitat fragmentation.
“Though the conservation standing of the enormous panda is bettering, there’s nonetheless a lot work wanted to make sure they continue to be on the trail to restoration with wholesome and flourishing populations,” the assertion stated.
Chinese language wildlife officers stated the mortgage of the 2 pandas would open a brand new spherical of panda conservation cooperation between america and China. The China Wildlife Conservation Affiliation added that it hoped conservation efforts between the 2 international locations would additionally result in enhancements in managing panda ailments, and assist promote “friendship between Chinese language and abroad peoples.”
It’s not simply San Diego that’s eagerly awaiting a panda supply.
Later this 12 months, two new large pandas will arrive in Washington, the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Zoo introduced final month. The transfer got here as a shock, given the tense relationship between america and China, which owns and leases all large pandas in U.S. zoos, The Washington Submit reported on the time.
The truth is, China’s pandas are so widespread in Washington that one Chinese language ambassador beforehand joked: “Many individuals don’t understand it, however there are literally two Chinese language ambassadors in Washington: me and the panda cub on the Nationwide Zoo.”
