ඇමෙරිකාවට ගිය පැන්ඩා සතුන් මහජනයා හමුවට!

Giant pandas make public debut at San Diego Zoo

The panda pair that arrived at the San Diego Zoo from China earlier this summer made their eagerly-awaited public debut in the zoo on Thursday, after the opening ceremony of the renovated Panda Ridge.

Yun Chuan and Xin Bao landed in California from China on June 27 for a 10-year international giant panda protection cooperation with the San Diego Zoo, marking a new round of such collaboration between the two nations. The two are the first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years.

Yun Chuan is an almost five-year-old male identifiable by his long, pointy nose. In 2007, his mother, Zhen Zhen, was the fourth cub born at the San Diego Zoo. Xin Bao is a nearly four-year-old female best recognized by her large, round face and big, fluffy ears.

In the opening ceremony, California Governor Gavin Newsom delivered a speech, proclaiming August 8 as the state's Panda Day to celebrate the two giant pandas' highly-anticipated public debut. In his speech, Newsom also thanked both the U.S. and Chinese sides for efforts and contributions to bringing the pandas to San Diego.

During the event, a portrait named "Friendship Across the Earth", which features a panda alongside graphic representations -- the globe and patterns of bamboo and flowers, was being unveiled, marking another warm welcome to the arrival of the black-and-white ambassadors of friendship.

The newly refreshed Panda Ridge, which is four times larger than the previous panda habitat, takes inspiration from the lush landscapes in and around giant pandas' native habitats in China. The renovation is not only designed to provide the panda couple with better living environment, but also to enhance tourists' experience and deepen their understanding of the species.

"Everyone is obsessed with pandas. It's just a beautiful symbol that, you know, just to share experiences and really just show how peaceful and beautiful life can really be," said Aida, a tourist.

"I think that after the panda came (to the United States), it has become a messenger of friendship among the people and is very popular. In fact, in a certain sense, it also embodies Chinese culture and Chinese spirit, such as the pursuit of harmony without uniformity, and peace," said Xie Feng, the Chinese Ambassador to the United States.

The San Diego Zoo is one of the most visited zoos in the United States. Located north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park, it is home to more than 12,000 animals representing over 680 species and subspecies.

• Tags:
• feature