San Diego Zoo Gets New Panda
Zoo Officials Hope Gao Gao Mates With Bai Yun
POSTED: 9:43 a.m. PST January 15, 2003
UPDATED: 9:47 a.m. PST January 16, 2003
SAN DIEGO -- A giant panda named Gao Gao arrived at the San Diego Zoo Wednesday after a 14-hour flight from China, replacing aging Shi Shi, who was quietly returned to his homeland last week.
After his arrival, Gao Gao (pronounced "gow gow") went immediately into a mandatory 30-day quarantine at the zoo hospital, spokeswoman Christina Simmons told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
The panda will not be on public display until next month at the earliest.
The 11-year-old panda replaces the Shi Shi, who was returned to China on Thursday.
Zoo officials hope that Gao Gao (pictured, right) will mate with their resident female giant panda, Bai Yun, this April, according to Simmons.
Shi Shi and Bai Yun came to San Diego from China in 1996 on a 12-year research loan.
Both were scheduled to be returned to China in 2008, but Shi Shi was sent back because he is old, ailing, and has proved to be a reluctant suitor.
Shi Shi and Bai Yun had one offspring, Hua Mei, now 3 1/2-years-old, as a result of artificial insemination. Hua Mei will be sent back to China as early as next month under the terms of the loan agreement.
The loan of the endangered pandas from China costs the zoo $1 million a year, which is used for panda conservation.
Zoo veterinarian Pat Morrison accompanied Gao Gao from the remote Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province after delivering Shi Shi back to China, according to the Union-Tribune.
Zoo officials have been quiet about Gao Gao's arrival in San Diego to avoid the intense media attention that could further stress the animal after its long trip.
There are believed to be only about 1,000 giant pandas in the wild.
The panda will not be on public display until next month at the earliest.
The 11-year-old panda replaces the Shi Shi, who was returned to China on Thursday.
Zoo officials hope that Gao Gao (pictured, right) will mate with their resident female giant panda, Bai Yun, this April, according to Simmons.
Shi Shi and Bai Yun came to San Diego from China in 1996 on a 12-year research loan.
Both were scheduled to be returned to China in 2008, but Shi Shi was sent back because he is old, ailing, and has proved to be a reluctant suitor.
Shi Shi and Bai Yun had one offspring, Hua Mei, now 3 1/2-years-old, as a result of artificial insemination. Hua Mei will be sent back to China as early as next month under the terms of the loan agreement.
The loan of the endangered pandas from China costs the zoo $1 million a year, which is used for panda conservation.
Zoo veterinarian Pat Morrison accompanied Gao Gao from the remote Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province after delivering Shi Shi back to China, according to the Union-Tribune.
Zoo officials have been quiet about Gao Gao's arrival in San Diego to avoid the intense media attention that could further stress the animal after its long trip.
There are believed to be only about 1,000 giant pandas in the wild.
Previous Stories:
- August 21, 2002: Hua Mei Celebrates 3rd Birthday
- July 10, 2002: Hua Mei Enjoys Snow Frolic
- March 28, 2002: Zoo Trying Again To Impregnate Panda
- February 21, 2002: Zoo Officials Address Future Of Pandas
- December 17, 2001: San Diego Pandas To Return To China
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