Two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, recently arrived from China to the San Diego Zoo and are acclimating well, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The pandas are not yet on public display, but the zoo released the first photos of them settling into their new habitat. Their arrival on June 27 marked the first time giant pandas have entered the United States in 21 years.
Yun Chuan is a nearly 5-year-old male panda, while Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female. Zoo staff are collaborating closely with Chinese experts to cater to the pandas’ specific dietary needs and preferences. This includes providing a variety of fresh bamboo and creating a local version of wowotou, a traditional Chinese bun known as “panda bread.”
San Diego Zoo Welcomes Rare Giant Pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao from ChinaThe zoo stated that it will be several weeks before the public can view Yun Chuan and Xin Bao. The pandas’ integration into the zoo is part of a long-standing collaboration between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and conservation institutions in China, which has been ongoing for nearly 30 years.
This partnership focuses on the protection and recovery of giant pandas and their bamboo forest habitats. The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao is a significant milestone in this ongoing conservation effort, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in wildlife preservation.