How man eventually found his paradise

Xi's visit

Xi was on a trip to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium and European Union headquarters.

Because giant pandas born outside China also belong to China and must return to China at the age of four for breeding and conservation purposes, Tian Bao was originally due to return to China in December, but Domb said a new date has been set: Jan 3.

The departure needs to be handled delicately because visitors will be sad to see Tian Bao leave, Domb said, and tears will no doubt be shed.

"He is the most popular Chinese in Belgium.… Everybody loves him."

It is possible Tian Bao's departure may be postponed again because of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

The presence of the twins born in August would help reduce the stress relating to Tian Bao's departure.

Bao Di and Bao Mei made their public appearance on Dec 13, and now often play with mother Hao Hao in the yard.

This year Domb has bought land in France that used to supply bamboo to Pairi Daiza. He can now supply bamboo to other European zoos that also house giant pandas, such as Beauval Zoo in Saint-Aignan, France, he said.

Bamboo accounts for 99 percent of giant pandas' diet. Calgary Zoo in Canada announced in May that it plans to return two giant pandas to China because of a shortage of bamboo caused by flight disruptions during the pandemic.

Domb described the matter of bamboo supplies as crucial, and since owning the bamboo land in France, the five giant pandas at Pairi Daiza have got to try different bamboos.

"They're satisfied," he said.

COVID-19 has hurt the zoo's bottom line, and Domb expects a big financial loss this year after years of profit. The number of visitors has almost halved and the zoo was forced to remain closed from March to May. Last year it had nearly 2.17 million visitors.

But the blow this time around is nothing like the one to the bird park back in 1994 when Domb hoped to turn back the clock for two years and "forget the place" as he recalled.

"Now, I don't regret. It's such a nice place. We have wonderful people, making it better and better every year," he said.

chenweihua@chinadaily.com.cn