A pair of pandas, newly-arrived from China, will meet their adoring public in San Diego on August 8, marking the first new pandas immigrating to the U.S. in 21 years.
San Diego is one of the U.S. zoos that has previously participated in the program under which China sends the black and white charmers to zoos as part of a breeding and conservation program mixed with a political charm campaign. Several other U.S. zoos will be getting new panda loans soon.
One of the pair, Yun Chuan, is a 5-year-old male whose mother was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007. His partner is 4-year-old female Xin Bao.
The San Diego Zoo has completely rebuilt its panda exhibit area. The new space is four times larger and is inspired by famous geological formations in China, emulating mountains, canyons, and cliffs. It features new shade trees for climbing, a diverse array of plants, and rolling hillsides… and plenty of bamboo, their favorite food.
