The panda pair that arrived at the San Diego Zoo in California, USA, from China earlier this summer will make their eagerly awaited public debut on August 8, the zoo has announced. The two are the first pandas to enter the USA in 21 years.
“We are delighted to introduce Yun Chuan [pronounced yoon chu-an] and Xin Bao [pronounced sing bao] to our San Diego Zoo community,” said Paul Baribault, president and chief executive officer of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “Our newest residents will bring joy to our visitors and symbolize the enduring spirit of international conservation efforts. Together with our partners, we continue to make significant strides in ensuring a hopeful future for this iconic species.”
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, a nonprofit conservation leader, supports innovative conservation science through global partnerships. Through wildlife care, science expertise and collaboration, more than 44 endangered species have been reintroduced to native habitats. Annually, the alliance reaches over 1 billion people, in person at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and virtually in 150 countries through media channels.
Since arriving in late June, the pair has been acclimatizing to its home in the newly reimagined Panda Ridge. This innovative space is four times larger than the San Diego Zoo’s previous panda habitat 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 that allow Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to navigate and explore vertically.
Yun Chuan is a nearly five-year-old male identifiable by his long, pointy nose. In 2007, his mother, Zhen Zhen, was the fourth cub born at the San Diego Zoo. Xin Bao is a nearly four-year-old female best recognized by her large, round face and big, fluffy ears.
The zoo is offering three ways for guests to experience the giant pandas. On the day of their visit, visitors can obtain a complimentary Giant Panda Timed Ticket or join the standby line. Additionally, guests can make reservations for an exclusive 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas walking tour. For more information, visit sandiegozoo.org/giant-pandas.
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