SAN DIEGO — Pandas are a national treasure in China. They have been used as a way build better relations with other countries by lending them out to zoos.
Will San Diego see pandas back at the zoo or will another city?
Well, many thought San Diego was a shoe-in after China’s president floated the idea of sending pandas to America’s Finest City.
“The San Diego Zoo are looking forward to welcoming pandas back," said President Xi Jinping.
“Oh my gosh! That is so cool! Thank you, China! Thank you, China!” said three kids at the San Diego Zoo while cheering and jumping for joy when they heard the news.
But now, guess what? San Francisco is throwing their hat in the ring!
The mayor there is hoping to add some furry charm to the Bay Area.
“Panda diplomacy is important. San Francisco stands ready, willing and able if this is the city of choice," said San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
Visitors at the San Diego Zoo say it’s pretty clear that even pandas agree: San Diego is the place to be from some bamboo munching bliss!
"I would love it," said Rosalee Bernardina Rokosz, visitor at the San Diego Zoo.
"I would do anything to bring them back," said another visitor.
Many San Diegans remember when they were first brought to San Diego in 1987; then, were sadly sent back to China in 2019.
"It was a really sad thing," said San Diego Zoo visitor, Roy Belzer.
"It was a bummer when they left," said San Diego Zoo visitor, Desiray Layba.
"I would literally do anything to have a pet panda!” cheered a little kid at the zoo.
While negotiations with Chinese authorities are ongoing, San Diego and San Francisco are both optimistic about the possibility of welcoming pandas back into their zoos.
"The pandas can split time between the two, you know, SoCal, NorCal," Belzer laughs.
"Yeah, we need more cute things," said San Diego Zoo visitor, Rachel Lovitt.
Let’s be real: San Diegans are ready for some panda-monium!
"We love pandas!" said Lovitt.
"Pandas are just so fluffy, cute and chunky," said San Diego zoo visitor, Claire Layba.
"Bringing them into this San Diego Zoo specifically would be a really great thing," said Belzer.
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