Two giant pandas will be sent to San Diego Zoo

China will send giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the San Diego Zoo in the United States, heralding a new 10-year round of international conservation partnership.

In line with an agreement for giant panda conservation signed earlier this month by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo in California, both parties are making preparations for the pandas' journey, according to the association.

China has selected Yun Chuan, a male, and Xin Bao, a female, from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan province, and has arranged for experienced caretakers and veterinarians to accompany them to the US.

The San Diego Zoo is renovating and upgrading the panda facilities to provide a larger and more comfortable living environment. Additionally, the zoo has assembled a professional team with expertise in panda care, daily nursing and related scientific research, acquired through study and exchange programs in China.

To ensure the well-being of the giant pandas, experts from the China Wildlife Conservation Association traveled to the US in March for in-depth discussions and technical exchanges with the San Diego Zoo.

Li Desheng, deputy director of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda, said: "Giant pandas are important envoys for peaceful and friendly exchanges. As far as I know, wherever the giant pandas go, they are especially loved by the local people. Giant pandas can greatly facilitate communication between peoples and let people around the world know China better. There is also much collaboration in the field of animal conservation."

The cooperation between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the zoo dates back to 1996, when Bai Yun and Shi Shi from the research center became the first pair of pandas to live in the zoo.

Giant pandas Hua Mei, born in 1999, and Mei Sheng, born in 2003, who formerly lived at the San Diego Zoo, are not only the result of China-US giant panda research cooperation, but also are adorable ambassadors promoting friendly exchanges between the two countries, the conservation association said. They have also made a positive contribution to enhancing friendship between the peoples of China and the US, it added.

Since the 1990s, China has collaborated on giant panda conservation with 26 institutions in 20 countries, including Spain, Japan and France.

On Monday, giant pandas Jin Xi and Zhu Yu are scheduled to depart for the Madrid Zoo in Spain, beginning a 10-year stay.

"Scientific and educational outreach also serves as an important function of international giant panda exchanges, allowing more people to understand giant pandas," said Li, the deputy director of the conservation and research center.

yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn