San Diego Zoo gives first look of new giant pandas before public viewing
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The pair of giant pandas now residing at the San Diego Zoo home have been acclimating to life in America’s Finest City in a private habitat since arriving last month and officials say everything has gone smoothly thus far.
While they’re not quite ready for public viewing just yet, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance released new pictures on Tuesday of the panda duo, four-year-old Yun Chuan and three-year-old Xin Bao, hanging out in their behind-the-scenes enclosure.
The official photographs give San Diegans their first look at the giant pandas — the first to enter the U.S. in more than two decades — in their new home.
The pandas arrived safely in San Diego after a long journey from China on June 27, much to the excitement of locals and visitors alike.
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Xin Bao plays in his private enclosure at the San Diego Zoo. (Courtesy of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance) Yun Chuan sits in her private enclosure at the San Diego Zoo. (Courtesy of the San Diego Wildlife Alliance)
According to the Wildlife Alliance, the zoo’s care teams have been watching the two closely since then as they settle in, including working closely with Chinese experts to provide them with food matching their dietary needs, checking up on their mobility and monitoring overall health.
The bears have been treated to plenty of fresh bamboo and a local version of wowotou, a traditional Chinese bun also known as “panda bread.”
Although it will still be several weeks before the two are ready for public viewing, the Wildlife Alliance said. In the meantime, veterinary teams from both countries will continue to monitor the pandas to ensure they thrive in the new environment in San Diego.
When they are ready for public viewing, the panda pair will be headed into a newly expanded enclosure that will be 6,000 feet in size, according to an application submitted by the San Diego Zoo to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Alliance prior to their transport from China.
Guest viewing capacity with the updated enclosure will cap at about 173 guests — more than double the original habitat’s 80 guest maximum.
More information about when the pandas will be ready for public viewing will be released in the coming weeks, zoo officials said. The latest can be found on the San Diego Zoo’s website.
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Meet the Pandas
San Diego Zoo officials unveiled the pair of pandas they would be receiving in the revival of a loan agreement between the U.S. and China earlier this year.
Yun Chuan, a four-year-old male, was described as mild-mannered, gentle and lovable. He also already has ties to the San Diego Zoo: His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the zoo back in 2007. His grandmother, Bai Yun, lived at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years.
He is identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose, according to the Wildlife Alliance. He also appears to be quite comfortable both exploring on the grass or climbing trees.
Xin Bao, a three-year-old female, was described as an introvert who is gentle, but witty. She has a sweet round face and big, fluffy ears. Zoo officials said her name means “new treasure of prosperity and abundance.”
Since arriving in San Diego, she has become known for quietly sunbathing and focusing while munching on her favorite foods.
Both pandas were born at the Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in Sichuan, according to the zoo.
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