The long-awaited return of giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo appears imminent after Chinese officials held a formal farewell ceremony for Yun Chuan and Xin Bao on Wednesday. Exact travel details have not been released, but the pandas are expected to board a flight for California “soon after the farewell ceremony,” the zoo said. After they arrive in San Diego, the duo will be quarantined and off public viewing for several weeks, officials said.
They will be the first pandas to enter the U.S. in 21 years, the zoo said.
Leaders of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria went to China this week to participate in the ceremony, which was held at the China Conservation & Research Center for Giant Pandas in the Sichuan province. U.S.
and Chinese dignitaries also attended the event, which included cultural performances, video salutations from students and a gift exchange by conservation partners, the zoo said. “We are incredibly excited to welcome Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the San Diego Zoo,” San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance President and CEO Paul Baribault said in a statement. “This farewell celebrates their journey and underscores a collaboration between the United States and China on vital conservation efforts.
” He said the zoo’s lengthy partnership with Chinese wildlife officials has advanced panda conservation and “we look forward to continuing our work together to ensure the survival and thriving of this iconic species.” According to t.