California Governor Newsom Celebrates Public Debut of Giant Pandas at San Diego Zoo's Panda Ridge

The celebration also featured the unveiling of an original portrait by artist Shepard Fairey, depicting Bai Yun, Yun Chuan’s grandmother.Photo byGovernor's Press Office

Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom celebrated the opening of Panda Ridge at the San Diego Zoo today, marking the public debut of two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao. The event highlighted the 30th anniversary of the conservation partnership between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Wildlife Conservation Association.

The celebration also featured the unveiling of an original portrait by artist Shepard Fairey, depicting Bai Yun, Yun Chuan’s grandmother.Photo byGovernor's Press Office

Before the ceremony, Governor Newsom met privately with Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, to discuss the significance of this milestone for U.S.-China relations. The Governor emphasized the importance of international collaboration in protecting endangered species and fostering cultural exchange.

The pandas, five-year-old Yun Chuan and four-year-old Xin Bao, arrived in San Diego in late June. Yun Chuan is the grandson of Bai Yun and Gao Gao, iconic pandas who lived at the Zoo in the early 2000s. The Governor praised the partnership with China, noting that it has significantly advanced giant panda conservation efforts.