San Francisco Welcoming Giant Pandas Directly from China
In a historic move, San Francisco's zoo is set to welcome giant pandas from China for the very first time, as announced by Mayor London Breed. This exciting development brings these beloved creatures to a new home in the heart of the city.
China's giant pandas will be making their debut at the San Francisco Zoo, as announced by Mayor London Breed.
According to a media release from the city on Friday, this marks the first official agreement for the Giant Pandas to reside at the San Francisco Zoo. In the past, the zoo had temporarily hosted Giant Pandas from China in 1984 and 1985 as part of a global tour.
In February, China announced that it would be sending two giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo. This marks the first time in two decades that China has granted new panda loans to the US, as reported by CNN.
San Francisco Mayor, Breed, expressed excitement about welcoming Giant Pandas to the San Francisco Zoo. She stated, "San Francisco is absolutely thrilled to be chosen as a long-term home for Giant Pandas. It's an honor for our City to have this opportunity."
Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently mentioned the possibility of sending new pandas to the US, particularly to the San Diego Zoo, to strengthen the bond between the Chinese and American people.
This announcement followed the return of three pandas from the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. back to China. This marked the conclusion of over 50 years of Chinese pandas being hosted at the zoo. The National Zoo was the pioneering US zoo to exhibit pandas, leaving Zoo Atlanta as the sole remaining US zoo with pandas.
Pandas have been a symbol of China-US relations since 1972, when China gave a pair of pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo after US President Richard Nixon visited China.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, there are less than 2,000 giant pandas left in the wild, and the species is considered vulnerable.
CNN’s Taylor Romine, Jessie Yeung, Yong Xiong and Nectar Gan contributed to this report.
Editor's P/S:
The imminent arrival of giant pandas at the San Francisco Zoo is a testament to the enduring bond between the United States and China. These iconic animals have long been a symbol of cooperation and diplomacy, and their presence in San Francisco will further strengthen the cultural ties between the two nations. As the only remaining US zoo without pandas, San Francisco's acquisition is a significant honor, and the city is poised to welcome these beloved creatures with open arms.
The return of pandas to the US coincides with a recent surge in conservation efforts for the species. With less than 2,000 giant pandas remaining in the wild, their vulnerability underscores the importance of protecting their habitat and ensuring their survival. The San Francisco Zoo's commitment to conservation aligns with this global imperative, and the presence of pandas will serve as a reminder of the urgent need to safeguard these magnificent animals for future generations.
