If you’re anything like me, learning that the pandas were all being returned to China was just about the saddest thing that happened to you that week. Admittedly, it led to a lot of learning, but it was still sad news.
Well, it looks like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and we’ve never been so excited. On Monday, April 29th, one zoo announced that a pair of giant pandas were officially going to be making its way to America, and everybody jumped and cheered, probably:
@sandiegozoo🚨 🐼 Announcement 🐼🚨 We’re excited to share that our conservation and care team leaders recently visited China and met the two giant pandas to be cared for by the San Diego Zoo: Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced sing bao). Yun Chuan is a nearly five-year-old male giant panda described as mild-mannered, gentle, and lovable. His mother, Zhen Zhen (pronounced jen jen), was born at San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun (pronounced bye yoon) and Gao Gao (pronounced gow gow). Xin Bao is a nearly four-year-old female giant panda described as a gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears. Her name means a “new treasure of prosperity and abundance.” We don’t yet know the date of the pair’s arrival in San Diego as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the permit application. Stay tuned for more updates! #GiantPandas #Pandas #SanDiegoZoo #Pandemonium
Crying. Booking a trip to San Diego Zoo frantically. I need to see these pandas!
Related: Zoo Atlanta’s Adorable Footage of Their ‘Hyper’ Panda Playing Is Impossible to Resist
In case you weren’t aware, all pandas that get sent out to zoos around the world come directly from China, and they’re on loan. Though China has not necessarily revoked anyone’s panda licenses, officials were choosing not to renew the leasing agreements.
That meant that, over the last 4 years or so, every panda has slowly been returning to its homeland. The only pandas left in the United States live at Zoo Atlanta – but even their lease expires later this year. Whether China will renew is unknown, but it’s looking pretty good: they’re starting to lease pandas again, and San Diego Zoo is first on the list!
The zoo will be receiving two giant pandas: Yun Chuan and Xin Bao. Yun Chuan’s mother was actually born at the San Diego Zoo, which is a really cool moment. I wonder if Yun Chuan will be able to tell! We’ll find out soon enough – they’re hopefully going to return this year. All the zoo is waiting on are the permits from Fish and Wildlife!
Why did China take back everyone’s pandas?
Most people blame the fact that diplomatic relations between China and the United States have been a little rocky as the deciding factor to not continue the panda-leasing. Things like “tech wars” and disagreements over other political moves have led the relationship to become lukewarm at best.
Another factor could have been the death of 24-year-old Le Le, a giant panda who was living at Memphis Zoo. He was well into his senior years and no one was ever found to be “at fault” for his death, but accusations of neglect may have been the final straw. China decided to take a break from loaning out their pandas, and now, it looks like they’re ready to dip their toes back in.
If you want to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, you’re just going to have to keep up with San Diego Zoo. I bet they feel super special!
