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Shanghai welcomes new pandas
TWO giant pandas, two-and-a-half-year-old males named Ya’er and Xing’er, will make Shanghai Zoo their new home today after travelling all the way from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
Ya’er is curious and active, while Xing’er loves climbing trees, playing with other pandas and bathing, said Pan Xiuwen, a park official in Shanghai.
“Ya’er is a naughty boy and he liked romping with his mother in childhood, while Xing’er loves rolling around and playing in water,” Pan said.
They will be put on a flight to Shanghai today and are scheduled to arrive at the zoo at dusk. They will say “hello” to zoo visitors before May 1.
Shuangxin and Shuangxi, their female twin predecessors, left Shanghai Zoo yesterday morning after a two-year stay. Giant pandas reaching breeding age must return to the Chengdu center for mating to help enlarge the population.
Shuangxin and Shuangxi were born in August 2011, and they arrived at Shanghai Zoo in 2014.
Captive female giant pandas become sexually mature at age 4, and the Chengdu center will find suitable mates for them.
After eating their favorite meal of apples and undergoing health checks, Shuangxin and Shuangxi were ushered into cages and taken to Chengdu. But not without making a fuss first.
“Shuangxin is a good girl and always listen to us, but she did not cooperate this time. She probably knew it was her last day here,” said zookeeper Tang Pinggui.
Panda lover Momo, who has visited Shuangxin and Shuangxi regularly, said: “It is difficult to say goodbye, but I will visit them in Chengdu.”
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