Two giant pandas are set to travel from China to the U.S., where they will be cared for at the San Diego Zoo as part of an ongoing conservation partnership between the two countries, officials announced on Monday.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance reported that its caretakers recently visited China to meet the pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, in preparation for their journey to Southern California. The exact date of their arrival has not yet been determined.
Yun Chuan, a nearly 5-year-old male with a calm demeanor, has “deep connections” to California, according to the wildlife alliance. His mother, Zhen Zhen, was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao.
Xin Bao, a female who is almost 4 years old, is described 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, the alliance’s vice president of conservation science. “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.”
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has maintained a nearly 30-year partnership with leading conservation institutions in China, focusing on protecting and recovering giant pandas and the bamboo forests they rely on.
