China to Send Pandas , to San Diego Zoo.
On Feb. 22, China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, said that the China Wildlife Conservation Association...
... has made deals regarding "a new round of international cooperation for giant panda conservation" with both the San Diego Zoo and the Madrid Zoo, NBC News reports. .
The resurgence of "panda diplomacy" comes as only four pandas remained in the U.S. at Zoo Atlanta. .
Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji left the National Zoo in November, and Ya Ya left the Memphis Zoo in April, NBC News reports. .
One male panda and one female panda could arrive in San Diego by the end of summer.
We are humbled by the potential
opportunity of continuing our
collaborative conservation efforts
to secure the future for giant pandas. , Megan Owen, vice president of wildlife conservation science
at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, via statement.
A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign
Ministry also issued a statement.
We look forward to further expanding
the results of scientific research on
the protection of endangered species
such as the giant panda.., Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, via news briefing.
... through the new round of
international cooperation,
promoting people-to-people
connectivity and enhancing civilian
friendship with relevant countries, Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, via news briefing.
NBC News reports that there are currently about 600 pandas in captivity around the globe and 1,800 in the wild