Only four giant pandas are currently living in the U.S. after most zoos returned the pandas they received from China.
After nearly all of the giant pandas on loan at U.S. zoos the San Diego Zoo has announced they will get two new pandas from the country. They are expected to arrive this summer.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance announced Sunday that its care team leaders visited China and met two giant pandas – Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, who will be cared for at the California zoo.
Yun Chuan is almost 5 years old and is the grandson of Bai Yun, who lived at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years, the zoo said in a news release. His name is a combination of his grandmother’s and the province where he came from, Chuan.
Xin Bao is almost four years old and, like Yun Chuan, was born at China’s Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. The name Xin Bao means «new treasure of prosperity and abundance,» and the zoo describes her as «a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears.»
«Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special,» said Dr. Megan Owen, vice president of conservation science at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. «It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.
