PandaMonium: Debut of 2 Giant Pandas at San Diego Zoo

The Panda Ridge opened to the public to welcome 2 new giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo.Photo bywww.cnn.com courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

Pandamonium has struck the San Diego Zoo in the likes of two giant pandas. The pandas are a 5-year-old male named Yun Chuan and an almost 4-year-old female named Xin Bao. The new stars of the zoo has gained world-wide attention being shown to them and the zoo. In celebration of their debut, Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed August 8, 2024, as California Panda Day.

They have a phone number specifically to purchase tickets for the tour at 619-718-3000. They can be obtained online at their webpage. Tickets for the early morning tours are sold out until early September.

There is another way to see the pandas. The zoo will give away thousands of timed tickets on a first come, first served basis if you buy a ticket to get into the zoo. They then will have a standby line on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no guarantee though that those people will get to see the panda's.

Crowds today were enthusiastic and full of energy and excitement to see the first pandas that China has sent to America in the last 21 years. The regular exchange had been stopped due to strained relations between the two countries.

The San Diego Zoo is no stranger to pandas. They have been working with them since 1987. The Zoo has told people to plan ahead due to more than usual crowds that will be seen at the Zoo. With both countries being excited about the pandas, the hopes are that there will be more friendly relations between the U.S. and China in the future.