Pandas Move Into Refurbished Home
Enclosure Enlarged Four Times Its Original Size
Two of San Diego Zoo's most famous residents -- giant pandas Shi Shi and Hua Mei -- are getting accustomed to more spacious accommodations after a weekend move into their newly expanded enclosure.
Shi Shi, an adult male, and Hua Mei, a young female, were moved Saturday back into their original enclosure. Over the past three months, their home has been enlarged to four times its original size.
The zoo's other giant panda, adult female Bai Yun, remained in the temporary enclosure that all three have occupied for about three months.
Zoo officials decided not to move Bai Yun to avoid any possible stress involved in getting used to a different home, according to zoo spokesperson Stacey Ellis.
Bai Yun (pictured with Hua Mei, right) was artificially inseminated in April, but zoo officials said that they may not know if she is pregnant until just before she gives birth, which could come sometime next month.
Visitors wishing to see the pandas in the newly expanded enclosure will have to wait until Wednesday, when it will be opened for public viewing, Ellis said. Bai Yun will remain on public view in the temporary enclosure in Bear Canyon.
The expanded enclosure -- the Pacific Bell Giant Panda Research Station -- was designed to allow for the study of reproduction among pandas, an endangered species. It can accommodate as many as six pandas.
Construction of the 52,000-square-foot expansion project was funded by a $4 million donation from Padres owner John Moores.
The panda enclosure was built in 1994 and originally encompassed only about 13,000-square-feet. The renovation represents the zoo's largest construction project since the Tiger River exhibit opened in 1987.
The Giant Panda Research Station features two hillside exercise yards and eight indoor panda bedrooms with adjoining sun rooms. Research facilities are located in a two-story building housing offices, conference rooms, laboratories and a panda nursery.
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PANDA INFO
BAI YUN & BABY
Bai Yun (pictured with Hua Mei, right) was artificially inseminated in April, but zoo officials said that they may not know if she is pregnant until just before she gives birth, which could come sometime next month.
Visitors wishing to see the pandas in the newly expanded enclosure will have to wait until Wednesday, when it will be opened for public viewing, Ellis said. Bai Yun will remain on public view in the temporary enclosure in Bear Canyon.
The expanded enclosure -- the Pacific Bell Giant Panda Research Station -- was designed to allow for the study of reproduction among pandas, an endangered species. It can accommodate as many as six pandas.
Construction of the 52,000-square-foot expansion project was funded by a $4 million donation from Padres owner John Moores.
The panda enclosure was built in 1994 and originally encompassed only about 13,000-square-feet. The renovation represents the zoo's largest construction project since the Tiger River exhibit opened in 1987.
The Giant Panda Research Station features two hillside exercise yards and eight indoor panda bedrooms with adjoining sun rooms. Research facilities are located in a two-story building housing offices, conference rooms, laboratories and a panda nursery.
- April 12, 2001: San Diego Zoo Panda Undergoes Artificial Insemination
- February 24, 2001: San Diego's Favorite Panda On Her Own
- February 23, 2001: Baby Panda Separated From Mother
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