The time has finally come, and Giant Pandas are back in the United States, safely arriving at the San Diego Zoo from China.
On August 8, 2024, the zoo officially announced the new Giant Pandas and shared some details on their arrival. Take a look!
On Instagram, the San Diego Zoo shared a video of the two Giant Pandas and officially introduced them.
Related: Giant Pandas Safely Arrive at San Diego Zoo From China
"The long wait is finally over, Panda Ridge is officially open!" the zoo shared.
"Xin Bao (Sing Bao) and Yun Chuan (Yoon Chu-an) have been showing off their different personalities, snacking on bamboo, and exploring their new habitats. We can’t wait for you to meet America’s finest pandas."
On the San Diego Zoo website, they got into a little more detail on both Yun Chuan and Xin Bao.
Meet Yun Chuan at the San Diego Zoo
"Yun Chuan is an almost five-year-old male. His mother Zhen Zhen was born in 2007 and was the fourth cub born at the San Diego Zoo," the website explains. "He’s identifiable by his long, slightly pointed nose."
The zoo explains that his name was given thanks to his personality. "Yun" means "cloud" and "Chuan" means "big river," which "is a nod to the province of Sichuan, where he’s from."
The zoo describes Yun Chuan as "kind, clever, and sensitive to others," and that he likes to eat but is "mild-mannered toward others, always letting other pandas go first." They also say that Yun Chuan likes to sleep in and will not turn down an opportunity to take an afternoon nap.
Meet Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo
"The second Giant Panda we have the opportunity to welcome is Xin Bao (pronounced “sing bao”), a nearly four-year-old female," the zoo writes. "Wildlife care specialists describe her as very active, alert, witty, and an excellent climber."
She's identifiable by her "large, round face and big ears," which helps to "set her apart from other pandas."
The zoo explains that her name means "new treasure of prosperity and abundance," adding that Giant Pandas symbolize "wildlife conservation, peace, and friendship, but her name also reminds us that in Chinese culture, pandas also symbolize blessings and success."
Giant Pandas in the U.S. Are 'On Loan' From China
According to AP , all Giant Pandas in the world belong to China and when they're in zoos around the world, they're "on loan" to help conservation efforts.
"Beijing currently lends out 65 pandas to 19 countries through 'cooperative research programs' with a stated mission to better protect the vulnerable species," AP News reports.
Earlier this year, the zoos in the U.S. that had Giant Pandas were at the end of their 30-50-year loan, and all the Giant Pandas had to be returned to China. Thankfully a new agreement was made and Xin Bao and Yun Chuan are the first two to arrive back in the U.S.
The Giant Pandas are now able to be visited at the San Diego Zoo.
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