2 giant pandas set off from China to the US – for first time in over 20 years
- The male Yun Chuan and female Xin Bao are expected to arrive later this week at the San Diego Zoo
For the first time in more than 20 years, giant pandas are travelling from China to the United States.
The five-year-old male Yun Chuan and nearly four-year-old female Xin Bao are expected to arrive at the San Diego Zoo in California later this week after setting off from China on Wednesday.
The pair will travel more than 11,000km (7000 miles), accompanied by caretakers who will help them adjust to their new environment.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria travelled to Bifengxia Giant Panda Base, a research and conservation facility, in China’s Sichuan province to attend the pandas’ departure.
“I’m honoured to have been invited to join in the farewell ceremonies in China for Yun Chuan and Xin Bao – the giant pandas coming to our @sandiegozoo,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
In a statement on Wednesday the zoo said that after the pandas arrive safely in San Diego, they will not be publicly viewable for several weeks while acclimatising to their new home, where they will stay for 10 years.
“As soon as wildlife health and care teams confirm Yun Chuan and Xin Bao are ready to meet the public, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance will share a debut date and specific information about how to see” them, it added.