Most guests understand how well-known the San Diego Zoo is, however I’m consistently requested one specific query.
Does the San Diego Zoo at present have pandas? Until now, the reply has been no as a result of our most up-to-date set of well-known black and white bears returned to China in 2019. Fast-forward 5 years, and we have now some thrilling information: Pandas are returning to the San Diego Zoo!
They’re Coming Back?
Two pandas arrived safely from China and can spend a while acclimating earlier than being seen by Zoo company. They are Yun Chuan, an almost-five-year-old male, and a feminine panda named Xin Bao, who’s about to show 4 years previous.
Yun Chuan has a particular hyperlink to the San Diego Zoo. He is the son of Zhen Zhen, born there in 2007 to oldsters Bai Yun and Gao Gao. Xin Bao was born within the Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. (We’ve been to the previous Wolong Hetaoping Panda Base, which was destroyed within the 2008 Chengdu earthquake.)
The Zoo has lengthy partnered with Wolong to check panda copy and parenting. As a end result, panda births have elevated throughout the final decade, elevating them from an endangered to susceptible standing.
Let’s be taught extra in regards to the Zoo’s lovely new panda pair.
Welcome, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao
The new San Diego Zoo arrivals are the primary pandas to enter the United States in 21 years. It is kind of a momentous event. Before they launched into their journey a couple of days in the past, a farewell ceremony occurred on the China Conservation & Research Center for Giant Pandas in Sichuan province (which we have now additionally visited a couple of occasions). It was attended by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance President and CEO Paul Baribault and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
Once the pandas arrive safely in San Diego and acclimate to their new environment, the general public may have the prospect to welcome them in individual. There’s no confirmed date but, however a Fall 2024 debut is probably going.
Yun Chuan’s first title honors his grandmother, Bai Yun, who lived on the San Diego Zoo for over twenty years. He’s recognized to be mild-mannered, mild, and lovable—the whole lot we count on from these large, gracious creatures.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance describes Xin Bao as a mild and witty introvert with a candy spherical face and large ears. Her title aptly interprets as a ‘new treasure of prosperity and abundance.’
The glad return of big pandas to the San Diego Zoo coincides with the thirtieth anniversary of the massively profitable conservation partnership between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Wildlife Conservation Association. And what a strategy to have a good time!
The ongoing collaboration has resulted within the improvement of groundbreaking reproductive and neonatal conservation strategies which have drastically improved the survival charges of nursery-reared cubs, together with the event of a large panda milk system. The survival price was as soon as lower than 10% and has now elevated to over 90%.
This makes Yun Chuan and Xin Bao’s arrival much more particular. We will maintain you up to date as we be taught extra.
History of the San Diego Zoo Giant Pandas
San Diego Zoo’s fame as a large panda haven dates again a number of a long time. The first pandas — Basi and Yuan Yuan — didn’t arrive in San Diego till 1987.
It was presupposed to be a brief 100-day go to. However, the pandas drew a whopping two million viewers. They ended up staying twice as lengthy.
But that wasn’t the tip of San Diego’s panda story. Bai Yun (beginner Yun Chuan’s grandmother) and Shi Shi arrived in 1996.
The preliminary settlement concerned, because the Zoo web site explains, “a lot of red tape and tons of application paperwork,” leading to a twelve-year mortgage from the Chinese authorities. The mortgage was prolonged twice, and Bai Yun lived on the Zoo for 23 years, due to her success as a panda mother.
The San Diego Zoo developed a particular Giant Panda Research Station habitat to accommodate the pandas. You can nonetheless see it within the Asian Passage part of the Zoo.
See additionally: The Unexpected Origins of San Diego Zoo
Young Pandas Born on the San Diego Zoo
The first panda cub born at San Diego Zoo was named Hua Mei (translation: China USA) in 1999. Conceived by way of synthetic insemination, she was additionally the primary panda born within the U.S. to outlive to maturity.
She was such a giant deal and the rationale that individuals like me visited the San Diego Zoo usually. Watching her evolve from a wide-eyed child to an grownup, tumbling across the enclosure, was a pleasure.
The first panda cub is at all times particular.
However, Shi Shi and Bai Yun weren’t enthusiastic matches, partially as a result of Shi Shi was older than consultants initially predicted. So, he returned to China, and in 2003, Gao Gao changed Shi Shi as Bai Yun’s mate.
It was a match. Bai Yun gave start to 5 extra cubs: Mei Sheng, Su Lin, Zhen Zhen, Yun Zi, and Xiao Liwu. (Remember, Zhen Zhen is our new arrival, Yun Chuan’s mom).
These younger pandas had been welcomed into the world with nice pleasure from Zoo staff and guests alike.
Giant Panda Conservation Program Successes
When San Diego’s big pandas first grew to become long-term zoo residents in 1996, the species was endangered within the wild.
Researchers had lengthy hoped to extend numbers however constantly bumped into roadblocks when breeding pandas in captivity.
The San Diego Zoo labored intently with consultants from China by way of its Giant Panda Conservation Program to handle these points. This initiative made the many of the Zoo’s entry to pandas, utilizing in-depth analysis to uncover vital fertility and copy points.
Under the steerage of the Giant Panda Conservation Program, panda cub survival charges rapidly improved. Intensive analysis highlighted the necessity for twin swapping amongst cubs, plus higher-quality milk system for panda newborns. These efforts have made it attainable to supply extra newborns and maintain younger pandas alive.
Researchers on the San Diego Zoo rapidly shared this info with their companions in China and different U.S. zoos and amenities worldwide.
The program’s long-term success can arguably be attributed to this worldwide focus. You can learn extra about it on the Zoo’s Science weblog.
Why Did the Pandas Leave San Diego?
The fact is that the pandas had been by no means anticipated to remain right here without end. In 2019, Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu represented the tip of that mortgage program, which had already been prolonged a number of occasions.
The panda departure was marked by what director Dwight Scott referred to as a “fitting celebration” that included a “big thank you to the Chinese people for their continued partnership and our combined conservation accomplishments in helping to save this amazing species.”
Former San Diego Zoo panda keeper Dallas Dumont explains: “We knew when we started the program that they were not our bears and that they wouldn’t be staying… China believes in having their animals retire back in their country.”
Skeptics query this stance, because the pandas stayed long gone the unique settlement. The Smithsonian National Zoo deputy director Brandie Smith vehemently denies diplomacy considerations are concerned, explaining that the same lack of the D.C. zoo’s panda diplomat Bei Bei will finally show most useful for all events concerned.
Which makes the arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at San Diego Zoo all of the extra particular.
Who Else Lives within the Asian Passage at San Diego Zoo
Despite saying goodbye to its beloved big pandas, the San Diego Zoo continues its panda-oriented conservation efforts. Until our new pandas arrive and are able to be loved by the general public, you’ll be able to stroll by way of the Asian Passage.
Animals within the Asian PAssage
Don’t neglect in regards to the purple pandas! They at present occupy the previous big panda habitat within the Asian Passage part of the Zoo. Here is who you’ll be able to see within the Asian Passage as you stroll by way of it:
We love the soft-serve ice cream at Hua Mei Cones! It’s adjoining to the Hua Mei Cafe — each had been named for the primary panda cub born on the Zoo.
What Other Zoos Have Pandas?
If you’re keen on big pandas, you’ll be able to rise up shut and private with them on the Zoo Atlanta Panda Pagoda. It’s the one zoo in America that at present homes pandas. San Diego Zoo would be the second.
Tip: Take a have a look at archival footage of San Diego Zoo pandas.
Save Money on Tickets
The San Diego Zoo has at all times been considered one of Southern California’s most iconic sights, even earlier than the glad return of the pandas.
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the sister park 45 minutes north of the Zoo in Escondido, additionally affords quite a few alternatives for connecting with nature.
Stop by both vacation spot (or each!) to find the sheer pleasure of being surrounded by wildlife. There’s no higher strategy to spend a pleasant day in San Diego.
There’s no have to pay full worth when you’ll be able to entry my low cost. Tickets are good for a 12 months from the date of buy. Be prepared for the pandas!
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