First Pair of Giant Pandas in 21 Years Arrive in the United States from China

San Diego is anticipating the arrival of its newest giant pandas from China, marking a significant event as Beijing resumes panda loans to the United States after a two-decade hiatus. According to Chinese state media, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao departed from the Bifengxia base in Sichuan province on a chartered flight bound for their new home.

The decision to loan the pandas was finalized in February, following a proposal by Chinese leader Xi Jinping to send them as symbols of goodwill between the Chinese and American people. Xin Bao, a female born in July 2020, is described as gentle and well-behaved, while Yun Chuan, a male born in July 2019, is noted for being smart and lively, as reported by CCTV.

Their departure was marked with a celebratory farewell at the Chinese base, attended by officials from both countries, featuring performances and a ceremonial gift exchange, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The pandas were provided with a specially prepared meal including fresh bamboo, bamboo shoots, fruits, vegetables, and a cornbread called "wotou" to ensure their comfort during the journey.

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Accompanying them are five breeders and veterinary experts from China and the United States, with the Chinese team staying three months to assist the pandas in adapting to their new environment, CCTV reported. The pandas will undergo a period of acclimatization before being introduced to the public at the San Diego Zoo, pending approval from veterinary teams.

The loan of pandas forms part of China's longstanding "panda diplomacy" program, which has seen these iconic animals sent to over 20 countries. San Diego Zoo, renowned for its conservation efforts, has collaborated with China on giant panda research since 1994, focusing on behavior, genetics, breeding, nutrition, and disease prevention.

The zoo's recent panda absence began in 2019 when its last two pandas were returned to China after the end of their loan agreement. Yun Chuan's lineage includes his mother Zhen Zhen, born at San Diego Zoo in 2007 to Bai Yun and Gao Gao. Bai Yun, born in China in 1991, had been a beloved resident of the zoo since 1996 until her return to China at the age of 27.

The return of pandas to San Diego follows the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, sending its pandas back to China last November, marking the conclusion of a program that spanned over 50 years. This move left Zoo Atlanta as the only other U.S. zoo hosting pandas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping reaffirmed the continuation of panda conservation cooperation with the United States during discussions with President Joe Biden in San Francisco last November, underscoring efforts to strengthen bilateral relations through cultural exchanges.