(North County Beat) – San Diego’s newest residents, giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, are settling in smoothly at their new home in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, announced Tuesday.
According to the zoo, these pandas, marking the first entry of their kind into the United States in over two decades, arrived in California on June 27. They are currently adjusting to their surroundings in a secluded habitat and won’t be available for public viewing for several weeks. First-look photographs released by the zoo reveal Yun Chuan munching on leaves while Xin Bao relaxes in her enclosure.
Yun Chuan, approaching 5 years old, is the offspring of Zhen Zhen and is distinguished by his long, slightly pointed nose. The zoo describes him as comfortable whether exploring the grass or climbing trees. On the other hand, nearly 4-year-old Xin Bao, whose name translates to “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance,” is recognized for her large, round face and fluffy ears. She enjoys sunbathing quietly and indulging in her favorite foods.
These pandas have been loaned to the San Diego Zoo by China as part of a longstanding tradition known as “panda diplomacy,” aimed at fostering goodwill between nations. This initiative, proposed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, underscores the symbolic role of pandas in international relations.
The San Diego Zoo has a history of collaboration with China on giant panda research since 1994, focusing on behaviors, genetics, breeding, nutrition, and disease prevention. This partnership marks a significant phase in bilateral relations, especially as the zoo prepares to share these pandas’ unique journey with the public in the coming weeks.
Experts from both countries are closely monitoring the pandas’ health, meticulously tracking their weight, appetite, and other indicators daily to ensure their well-being in their new environment. The zoo is also adapting to the pandas’ dietary needs, providing fresh bamboo and a local version of “panda bread” known as wowotou.
While the exact date for public viewing hasn’t been set, the San Diego Zoo plans to update visitors on when they can witness these remarkable pandas in person. Until then, the focus remains on ensuring Yun Chuan and Xin Bao settle comfortably into their new American abode.
