San Diego’s newest residents, giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, are settling well into their new environment, as reported by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance on Tuesday. The zoo released first-look photos of the pandas, who are the first giant pandas to arrive in the United States in 21 years.
Private habitat
The pandas have been acclimating in a private habitat since their arrival on June 27 and will not be viewable to the public for several weeks. Photos show Yun Chuan enjoying bamboo leaves and Xin Bao lounging in her enclosure.
Meet the pandas
Yun Chuan, nearly five years old, is the offspring of Zhen Zhen, the fourth cub born at the San Diego Zoo. He is easily recognizable by his long, slightly pointed nose and is comfortable exploring the grass or climbing trees. Xin Bao, almost four years old, means “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance.” She is identified by her large, round face and fluffy ears, enjoying sunbathing and focusing on her favorite food.
Panda diplomacy
The young pandas are on loan from China, following a suggestion by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to send them as “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.” This loan is part of China’s “panda diplomacy,” where pandas are loaned to more than 20 countries. Despite recent reductions in panda loans due to strained US-China relations, San Diego’s agreement with China may signify a new phase. China also announced in April it would send pandas to the San Francisco Zoo for the first time.
The San Diego Zoo has a long history of cooperative research on giant pandas with China, dating back to 1994. The zoo works with the Sichuan Conservation Center on studies of behavior, genetics, artificial breeding, nutrition, and disease prevention.
Dietary and health care
The zoo is collaborating with Chinese experts to meet the pandas’ dietary needs, providing fresh bamboo and a local adaptation of wowotou, a traditional Chinese bun known as “panda bread.” Veterinary teams from both countries are closely monitoring the pandas’ health, tracking weight, appetite, and other indicators daily.
Public viewing
The San Diego Zoo will announce when visitors can see the pandas in person after they have fully acclimated to their new home. The pandas’ health and care teams will decide when they are ready to be introduced to the public.