SAN DIEGO (CNS) — It was "Panda-monium" at the San Diego Zoo Thursday, as the first giant panda bears to arrive in the United States in 21 years made their public debut.
The zoo officially opened its Panda Ridge exhibit on Thursday, raising the curtain on Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to much fanfare.
To mark the occasion, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced proclamation that declared August 8, 2024, as California Panda Day. Click here to read the full announcement.
It's "Panda-monium" at the San Diego Zoo!
How you can see the pandas
Guests will have several options to see the zoo's newest stars, including:
-- obtaining a free giant panda timed ticket by scanning QR codes located on signs posted throughout the zoo, selecting an available time, and heading to the Timed Ticket line at Panda Ridge at the designated time
-- joining a standby line beginning at 9:30 a.m.
-- securing advance reservations for an exclusive 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour, before the zoo opens to guests for the day
Panda Ridge is described as an "expansive and multidimensional experience... inspired by famous geological formations in China, emulating the mountainous forest ecosystems where giant pandas thrive while immersing you into their world," a statement from Erika Kohler, San Diego Zoo senior vice president and executive director read.
More information on Panda Ridge, including how to reserve a Walking Tour ticket, can be found at https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/giant-pandas/visit.
WATCH FULL OPENING CEREMONY:
Newsom was joined at the ceremony by Xie Feng, Chinese ambassador to the United States; Toni G. Atkins, California state senator; Si Ping, deputy secretary general of China Wildlife Conservation Association; Todd Gloria, mayor of San Diego; and other U.S. and Chinese dignitaries and civic leaders.
The zoo opened its Panda Ridge exhibit at 12 p.m. Thursday, raising the curtain on Yun Chuan and Xin Bao with a special Chinese musical and artistic performance and the reveal of an original Shepard Fairey artwork created to celebrate the occasion.
"We are delighted to introduce Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the world," said Paul Baribault, president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "Guests will have an opportunity to visit with these remarkable giant pandas, be inspired by their importance, learn about all we do to help conserve them alongside our trusted Chinese partners and join us to help protect their future."
"Last November, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to continue cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation," said Feng. "The arrival of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao in San Diego as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of our diplomatic ties has sent a clear and important message: China-U.S. cooperation on panda conservation will not cease, our people-to-people exchanges and subnational cooperation will not stop, and, once opened, the door of China-U.S. friendship will not be shut again."
"Welcoming these national treasures to the San Diego Zoo is a proud moment for California that reflects our strong foundation of partnership with China on a host of issues, from climate action to economic development," Newsom said. "Working together with our international partners to protect this iconic wildlife species, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for conservation and cultural exchange, benefiting our communities and the planet."
A portrait by Shepard Fairey, known for former President Barack Obama's iconic "Hope" campaign poster, was unveiled Thursday morning. Titled "Friendship Across the Earth," the portrait features Bai Yun -- the much- loved panda who lived at the zoo for more than 20 years -- with the words majesty, respect and conservation alongside graphic representations, the globe and patterns of bamboo and flowers.
What to know about the new pandas
Yun Chuan and Xin Bao arrived in San Diego in late June and have spent the last several weeks acclimating to the zoo and their new habitat.
According to a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance statement, Yun Chuan is nearly 5 years old and is described as mild-mannered, gentle and lovable. He is the son of Zhen Zhen, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007 to parents Bai Yun and Gao Gao. The first character of his name, "Yun," is a nod to his grandmother Bai Yun, who lived at the San Diego Zoo for 23 years.
Xin Bao is a nearly 4-year-old female and is described as a "gentle and witty introvert with a sweet round face and big ears," a zoo statement reads. Her name means a "new treasure of prosperity and abundance."
"For 30 years, we've worked alongside our Chinese conservation partners to save, protect and care for giant pandas and their ecosystems," Kohler said. "And now we have the opportunity to continue caring for and conserving these incredible bears as we expand on our transformative work to secure a future for their species."
San Diego Zoo was the first zoo in the United States to have a cooperative panda conservation program.
China recalled almost all of its pandas who were on loan to zoos in the U.S. around five years ago after relations between the two countries soured. Cooperation between China and the U.S. has led to the possibility of pandas returning to zoos, including the San Diego Zoo.
There is typically a $1 million per year fee paid by the zoos for two pandas, and the money is used for China's conservation efforts, according to a 2022 report by America's Congressional Research Service.
How the pandas have impacted the U.S.-China relationship
China first gifted the U.S. with pandas in 1972, when two were sent to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Part of the goal in loaning pandas to zoos in the United States was to help breed cubs and boost the population.
Conservation efforts have saved the giant pandas from extinction by increasing the population from fewer than 1,000 to more than 1,800 in the wild and captivity, causing the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List to downgrade the giant panda from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2021.
Expect busy roads around the zoo
Increased traffic on Park Boulevard and around Balboa Park is expected between Aug. 8 and Aug. 11, and then during weekends through the remainder of August, according to a statement from the city.
To help ease traffic, people visiting the San Diego Zoo can take advantage of a free shuttle that will pick up and drop off at the Inspiration Point parking lot, where parking is free. Additionally, public transportation is recommended, with bus lanes along Park Boulevard allowing buses to travel more easily, and MTS Rapid 215 and Route 7 provide direct access to the San Diego Zoo.
"Dedicated bike lanes and high-visibility crosswalks on Park Boulevard provide a safe, convenient option for pedestrians and people on bicycles or mobility devices," the city statement read.
Those choosing rideshare options are being encouraged to use the main Zoo Entrance as the address for pick up and drop off, per the city.
Copyright 2024, City News Service, Inc.
