Following the return of the majority of giant pandas on loan to U.S. zoos back to China, the San Diego Zoo is set to receive two new pandas from the country, expected to arrive this summer. As announced by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance on Sunday, their care team leaders recently visited China and acquainted themselves with two giant pandas named Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, who will soon call the California Zoo their home.
Yun Chuan, nearly 5 years old, boasts lineage traced back to Bai Yun, who resided at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years. His name honors both his grandmother and his province of origin, Chuan.
At almost four years old, Xin Bao, like Yun Chuan, hails from China’s Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base. Her name, meaning “new treasure of prosperity and abundance,” reflects her personality as described by the zoo—a gentle and witty introvert with an endearing round face and large ears.
Dr. Megan Owen, Vice President of conservation science at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, expressed excitement about the new arrivals, noting that while they had seen photographs and learned about the pandas’ personalities from their conservation partners in China, meeting them in person was truly special. She emphasized the global collaboration in conserving, protecting, and caring for these unique bears, eagerly anticipating their arrival in San Diego.
Since 1972, the China Wildlife and Conservation Association has engaged in “panda diplomacy,” lending pandas to various U.S. zoos. These include the Smithsonian National Zoo, Atlanta Zoo, Memphis Zoo, and San Diego Zoo, which have collaborated with China on research and conservation efforts.
Initially, agreements with the zoos were extended multiple times. For instance, in 1987, San Diego hosted two pandas for a 100-day visit, leading to a 12-year agreement that saw the arrival of pandas Bai Yun and Shi Shi in 1996. The agreement was repeatedly extended, resulting in the birth of six pandas at the zoo, all of whom returned to China by 2019.
The Memphis Zoo had a 20-year loan agreement with China, which concluded in April 2023. Similarly, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. began receiving pandas in 1972 but ended its agreement in 2023, returning Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their offspring, Xiao Qi Ji.
Currently, the Atlanta Zoo remains the sole U.S. zoo with pandas on loan from China. However, their agreement, established in the mid-1990s, is set to expire in 2024, prompting the return of pandas Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their cubs, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, by year’s end.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), giant pandas are the scarcest bear species and one of the planet’s most endangered animals.
WWF reports that there are merely 1,864 giant pandas left in their natural habitat worldwide, with the majority inhabiting the elevated forests of southwestern China. These bears rely heavily on bamboo for sustenance, requiring a daily intake ranging from 26 to 84 pounds. Therefore, bamboo conservation efforts in San Diego are crucial to ensuring the welfare of these animals.
For nearly three decades, the San Diego Zoo has maintained an enduring collaboration with prominent conservation organizations in China. This partnership involves the transportation, nurturing, and investigation of giant pandas. Research conducted under this alliance primarily delves into various aspects of giant panda biology, such as reproductive behavior, physiology, dietary needs, and habitat preferences.
China practices panda diplomacy by strategically loaning giant pandas to other countries, primarily as a gesture of goodwill and diplomacy. These adorable creatures, beloved worldwide, serve as potent symbols of friendship and cultural exchange. The process typically involves negotiations between China and the recipient country, outlining terms for the care, conservation, and research of the pandas. These agreements often foster collaboration in wildlife conservation efforts and scientific research. By sharing pandas with other nations, China not only strengthens diplomatic ties but also promotes its image as a responsible global steward of biodiversity and environmental conservation. Panda loans frequently coincide with high-profile diplomatic visits, garnering significant media attention and enhancing China’s soft power on the world stage. Ultimately, panda diplomacy embodies China’s commitment to using its cultural and natural heritage as tools for fostering international cooperation and building diplomatic bridges across borders.
