Topline
A pair of giant pandas debuted on Thursday at the San Diego Zoo, the first time in 21 years the species has stepped foot in the U.S. after leaving China, according to the zoo, as both countries resume a decadeslong experiment of “panda diplomacy” following a period of tense relations.
The giant pandas are the first to enter the U.S. in 21 years, the zoo said.
Key Facts
The pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, arrived at the San Diego Zoo in June and spent months acclimating to their new habitat before being publicly shown on Thursday, the zoo said.
Yun Chuan is a 5-year-old panda whose mother Zhen Zhen was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007, and is described by the zoo as “mild-mannered, gentle and lovable,” while Xin Bao is a “gentle and witty introvert” at nearly 4 years old.
Visitors take photos of giant panda Xin Bao.
Giant panda Xin Bao is observed by a visitor reflected on the glass.
Xin Bao is seen in her habitat.
Xin Bao sitting in her habitat.
Xin Bao on her back inside her habitat.
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Key Background
1,800. That’s the estimated number of giant pandas remaining in the wild, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the animal as “vulnerable,” meaning the giant panda species faces a high risk of extinction. There are four other giant pandas in the U.S. that live at Zoo Atlanta, though they are expected to return to China later this year.
Key Background
Pandas have been used by China for “major political and diplomatic” needs and have featured in relations with the U.S. since President Richard Nixon visited China in 1972. Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai gifted two pandas to the U.S., Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, after First Lady Patricia Nixon mentioned her love of the animals. The two pandas arrived at Washington D.C.’s National Zoo in 1972 and had five cubs over the next 20 years, though none survived into adulthood. After Ling-Ling died in 1992, the zoo was without pandas until a second pair arrived in late 2000, as the zoo paid the Chinese government $10 million in exchange for 10 years of keeping the pandas. The zoo announced in November the three pandas remaining at the zoo, 26-year-old Tian Tian, 25-year-old Mei Xiang and their 3-year-old cub Xiao Qi, would return to the China Wildlife Conservation Association in Chengdu. Despite their return to China, Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated China was “ready” to continue its “cooperation with the United States on panda conservation.”
