SAN DIEGO — The San Diego Zoo is officially in its black-and-white era, celebrating a historic milestone with the return of two Giant Pandas from China. The panda pair, Xin Bao and Yun Chuan, traveled nearly 7,000 miles from China to San Diego in late June, quarantined and acclimated to their new home for nearly a month. On Thursday, they made their public debut to thousands of adoring fans at their newly expanded home, Panda Ridge.
The long-awaited return of the pandas kicked off with an auspicious opening ceremony and an unveiling fit for a royal family, filled with fanfare, song, dance and scores of international media. State, local and international dignitaries, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Chinese Ambassador Xi Feng, all welcomed the pandas with warmth and pledged an ongoing commitment to protect this precious species.
“Over the past three decades, the cooperation between China and the San Diego Zoo has been very fruitful helping increase survival rates for panda cubs from around 10% to over 90%,” said Ambassador Feng.
“The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, has sent a clear and important message. China-U.S. operation on panda conservation will not cease. Our people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation will not stop. Once opened, the door of China-U.S. friendship will not be shut again.”
“This is about exchange. This is about understanding. This is about something much deeper, much richer than just the two beautiful pandas we celebrate. It’s about celebrating our common humanity,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom
To put this historic milestone into perspective, these are the first two pandas to be sent to the U.S. in 21 years as a gesture of goodwill from China.
It has been five long years since the last Giant Pandas left San Diego. They were returned to China when the loan agreement lapsed. Other zoos around the country also returned their pandas when their loan agreements were up. But now thanks to a welcome turn in panda diplomacy, with the signing of a collaborative conservation agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the beloved bears are back.
“The bald eagle is our iconic animal that represents our country. The panda represents that for China,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria. “Entrusting us with two of their creatures is a big deal. And it’s important to show respect and appreciation.”
The pandas symbolize hope, peace, harmony and underscore a commitment to global conservation of wildlife and ecosystems. Twenty years ago the Giant Pandas were considered endangered with fewer than one-thousand Giant Pandas left in the world.
“Over the course of 20 years of international collaboration, the Giant Panda status improved from endangered to vulnerable. That’s a fantastic achievement, but there’s still a lot of work to do,” said Megan Owen of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
Visitors hoping to see the new pandas at Panda Ridge can do so in three ways. They can secure a complimentary Giant Panda timed ticket or join a standby line in person. If you want to wake up with the pandas, for an upgraded fee, you can book an exclusive 60-minute morning Panda Walking Tour before the zoo opens to guests.
For more information, visit sandiegozoo.org/giant-pandas
Sponsored by: San Diego Zoo