Germany is falling in love with two giant pandas that have just arrived from China for new homes in Berlin’s zoo. China sent the black-and-white ambassadors as a symbol of closer economic ties, and they will be formally introduced to the public by Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping later this month.
The pair, a female named Meng Meng and her mate, Jiao Ling, arrived on a special Lufthansa flight, accompanied by two Chinese panda specialists, the chief veterinarian of the Berlin zoo, and a tonne of bamboo, their main diet.
They may seem cute and cuddly, but they have powerful jaws and teeth. There was a bit of excitement at the arrival as the Chinese ambassador got a little too close to the plexiglass cages. Jiao Ling, the male, stood up, roared, and beat his paws on the walls of the cage.
I was surprised to learn that the Chinese rent the Pandas to zoos.
And any offspring remain their property too.