First photos of new pandas at San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance on Tuesday shared the first photos of the highly anticipated panda pair, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, as they settled into their new home at the zoo.

According to a statement from the alliance, the pandas are the first to enter the United States in 21 years, arriving in San Diego on June 27. They are currently getting acclimated to their private habitat and will not be viewable to the public for several weeks.

Yun Chuan, an almost 5-year-old male, is "identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose". He is the offspring of Zhen Zhen, who was born in 2007 and was the fourth cub born at the San Diego Zoo. Yun Chuan "seems to be extremely comfortable exploring the grass or climbing trees", the statement said.

Xin Bao, a nearly 4-year-old female whose name means "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance", is notable for her large, round face and big, fluffy ears. She enjoys sunbathing quietly and focusing on her favorite food, according to the zoo.

Over the past week, the zoo has collaborated closely with Chinese experts to cater to the dietary needs and preferences of the giant pandas. The teams have provided a variety of fresh bamboo and created a local adaptation of wowotou, a traditional Chinese bun also known as "panda bread".

To help the pandas adjust to their new home, the teams conducted food-adaptability exercises and weight-monitoring sessions. The statement said that "veterinary teams from both countries are diligently monitoring the pandas' health, tracking their weight, appetite, and other health indicators daily to ensure they thrive in their new environment".

The arrival of the pandas marks a significant milestone in wildlife conservation and in the ongoing collaboration between the San Diego Zoo and its Chinese counterparts.

The San Diego Zoo is the first US zoo to have a cooperative conservation program with Chinese partners. Located north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, it is home to more than 12,000 rare and endangered animals representing over 680 species and subspecies.