Pandas remain favorite after one year at California zoo

The San Diego Zoo recently celebrated the first anniversary of the arrival of giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, drawing thousands of visitors who lined up for hours to glimpse the black-and-white stars. The milestone, which coincided with "California Panda Day", was noted as a reflection of ongoing conservation partnerships between China and the United States.

The pandas arrived on Aug 8,2024, marking the first time in more than two decades that San Diego hosted giant pandas. Their debut in the newly built Denny Sanford Panda Ridge was attended by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng, and representatives of the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

Newsom proclaimed Aug 8, 2024, as California Panda Day, celebrating the pandas' public debut and highlighting the significance of the conservation partnership between California and China.

"We hope that the newly arrived panda 'envoys of friendship' will lead to further exchanges and cooperation between California and China," Newsom stated in his official proclamation last August.

"The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao sends a clear and important message that China-US cooperation on panda conservation will not cease," Xie said at the opening ceremony last year, adding that people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation between the two sides will also not stop.

The pandas' homecoming was the result of a renewed 10-year agreement with Chinese conservation partners, highlighting not only cultural exchange but also science-based collaboration.

Yun Chuan, whose name means "river of clouds", has family roots at the San Diego Zoo. His grandmother, Bai Yun, lived here for 23 years, and his mother, Zhen Zhen, was born on site in 2007. Known for his calm demeanor, he often enjoys lounging near the pool in his enclosure.

Xin Bao, whose name translates as "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance", is gentle and curious, with a round face and fluffy ears that make her especially popular with children. She is often spotted climbing trees, a behavior that has delighted keepers and guests alike.

According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the two pandas have "spread friendship across the Earth and inspired countless others to join us in saving, protecting and caring for pandas and their bamboo forest ecosystems" over the past year.

To celebrate the one-year anniversary, the zoo released a limited-edition Panda Day commemorative pin for the first 2,025 visitors. The event included special programs for families and children to highlight the zoo's focus on education and community engagement.

Families from the Ronald McDonald House and Rady Children's Hospital attended an early-morning session with Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, giving children and their caregivers a chance to observe the pandas and learn about conservation programs.

"Being able to come to the zoo on a special morning was amazing," said a visitor named Heather. "It was a chance to step away from the hospital and just enjoy time together."

The anniversary programs also featured cultural activities and educational talks.

One year on, the frenzy surrounding the pandas shows no signs of waning. Local media reported that lines to see Yun Chuan and Xin Bao "stretch as far as the eye can see," with even private "Early Morning with Pandas "tours selling out rapidly. Crowds were described as comparable to opening day in 2024, showing the enduring fascination with the species.

Charming public

The pair's daily habits continue to charm the public. Each panda consumes nearly 23 kilograms of bamboo every day, a high-fiber diet that requires long naps to aid digestion. Their visible routine of eating and resting serves as both entertainment and education for visitors about the unique adaptations of giant pandas.

Marco Wendt, wildlife ambassador and wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said the pandas embody both joy and responsibility.

"Giant pandas bring curiosity and happiness to people all over the world," he told media. "They connect communities, and especially children, in a way few other animals can."

Wendt noted the deep conservation significance.

"Our decades of work with the China Wildlife Conservation Association enabled the pandas' status to improve from endangered to vulnerable," he said. "Now, with genetics and behavioral studies, we're deepening our partnership to protect isolated wild populations."

"We're not only doing conservation work," Wendt added. "We're offering hope and prosperity for people around the world. This is a chance to connect the world through an animal that, in my opinion, unites people better than any other."

The giant pandas' presence at the San Diego Zoo is more than a zoological attraction; it is a living symbol of long-standing collaboration between California and China, as "giant pandas can unite us," according to Paul Baribault, the former president and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Since the 1990s, San Diego has worked closely with Chinese conservationists on breeding programs, habitat preservation and public education.

Agencies contributed to the story.

renali@chinadailyusa.com