Panda enthusiasts in America have been granted a renewed sense of hope, with Chinese President Xi Jinping expressing his government’s readiness to extend the loan of the beloved black and white icons to American zoos.
In a delightful development for panda enthusiasts in the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced on Wednesday the government’s readiness to extend the loan of these beloved black and white bears to American zoological parks.
While the specifics regarding when and where these pandas will arrive remain uncertain, President Xi subtly hinted at a delightful surprise, especially for those in California, particularly San Diego.
The count of giant pandas in American zoos has been dwindling as various exchange agreements expired without renewal. Pandas were repatriated from the San Diego Zoo and the Memphis Zoo in recent years. Last week, Washington’s National Zoo bid farewell to its trio of pandas.
As of now, the exclusive pandas in America reside at the Atlanta Zoo, but their loan agreement is set to expire next year. Speculation abounds that China might be gradually withdrawing its bears from American and European zoos, possibly due to geopolitical tensions.
During a dinner in San Francisco, President Xi underscored pandas’ role as “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.” He expressed a willingness to continue panda conservation cooperation with the U.S., hinting at a potential relocation to San Diego.
Though lacking specifics, Xi’s statement signals a potential renewal of the panda exchange program, drawing positive reactions from experts. The CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Daniel Ashe, finds it encouraging, and Dennis Wilder of Georgetown University sees it as a victory, indicating a restart of negotiations with American zoos.
San Diego Zoo emerges as a potential frontrunner, possibly influenced by recent goodwill from Governor Gavin Newsom’s trip to China. San Diego Zoo officials express excitement about President Xi’s commitment to giant panda conservation.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo, the first U.S. institution to house giant pandas, may also be chosen. National Zoo officials remain tight-lipped about negotiations, but Wilder expects its selection due to its prominence in the nation’s capital and decades of panda care experience.
Chinese public sentiment supports bringing all American pandas back, and political obstacles seem resolved. The swiftness of the process will depend on the readiness of the recipient zoo, with potential upgrades needed for the San Diego Zoo and renovations planned for the National Zoo adding uncertainty to the timing.