"Pair of Pandas Relocated, Completed in 6 Months"... Busy Movements at US Zoo

San Diego Zoo CEO Paul Baribolt Interview with WSJ
Pandas Moved from China to the U.S. After 21 Years
Schedule Usually Takes 2 Years, Accelerated at China's Request

The fact that the relocation preparation period for a new pair of Chinese pandas entering the San Diego Zoo in the United States took only six months was revealed belatedly. Considering that the process of moving pandas usually takes about two years, this is unprecedented. It is interpreted that both sides hurried to not delay the timing of the revival of US-China 'panda diplomacy' as Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks led to the transfer of Chinese pandas to the US for the first time in 21 years.

A 4-year-old female panda named Xinbao eating bamboo at the San Diego Zoo in California, USA.
[Photo by Reuters Yonhap News]

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently interviewed Paul Baribolt, CEO of the San Diego Zoo in California, where the Chinese pandas Xinbao and Wenchuan are staying, and shared the behind-the-scenes story of the relocation of the panda pair. Four-year-old female Xinbao (meaning "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance") and five-year-old male Wenchuan ("great river of clouds") moved from China to San Diego at the end of June, went through an adaptation period, and were publicly revealed for the first time on the 8th.

The zoo and the Chinese side reportedly began discussing the pandas’ relocation only six months before their arrival in the US, in December of last year. Baribolt said he was surprised when, during discussions in Beijing, China requested, "Is it possible to complete all procedures within six months?" This meant compressing a process that usually takes about two years.

This request from China is believed to have been triggered by President Xi’s mention of reviving panda diplomacy during a dinner with businesspeople in San Francisco last November, when he visited the US for the first time in six years. At that time, President Xi stated, "We are ready to continue cooperating with the US for panda conservation and will do our best to meet the hopes of the people of California for the friendship between our two peoples."

On the 8th (local time), a commemorative event was held to unveil a pair of Chinese pandas to the public at the San Diego Zoo in California, USA. [Image source=Xinhua News Agency]

Previously, Wenchuan’s grandmother, Baiyun, first arrived in San Diego in 1996 and lived there for 23 years until 2019 before returning to China. Baiyun gave birth to Wenchuan’s father, Zhenzhen, in 2007 while at the San Diego Zoo. The pandas at the San Diego Zoo all returned to China after their lease contracts ended between 2018 and 2019.

The pair of pandas sent this time were the first pandas China sent to the US in 21 years. The Chinese side selected the pandas to send to the US at the end of April. At that time, the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration did not disclose specific schedules but explained that "related work is being actively promoted."

Baribolt reflected to WSJ, "Because there are many procedures to bring pandas, I didn’t know how it could be possible." Although he did not give a definite answer to China’s request, he said he responded that he would do his best to meet the schedule.

Upon returning to San Diego, he immediately convened executives for a meeting. Some executives reportedly expressed skepticism at the meeting. In particular, Dr. Megan Owen, Vice President in charge of wildlife conservation, said it was impossible. However, the executives agreed to try first and formed a task force (TF) that worked busily.

On the 8th (local time), visitors lined up to see a pair of Chinese pandas unveiled to the public for the first time at the San Diego Zoo in California, USA.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Starting in December last year, about 30 zoo executives held Zoom meetings every two weeks to discuss details. The first topic was to discuss "what obstacles exist in the process of bringing pandas."

When the horticulture team said it was difficult to identify the bamboo preferred by the pandas, samples were sent to Chengdu to identify it. Also, a space was prepared for Xinbao and Wenchuan to stay while being publicly displayed, expanding the size to four times the previous scale, but without major constructive renovations. This was because, after discussions with the San Diego government, they had to minimize tasks that would take a long time to get approval.

The process of forming a team of caretakers to look after the pandas also proceeded quickly. Competition among caretakers was fierce. However, a total of 10 junior and senior caretakers who could mostly stay with Xinbao and Wenchuan for the 10-year lease period were selected. Immediately after forming the team, they began exploring ways to safely transport the pandas to the US. Since the two pandas were born and raised in China, the Chinese caretaker team is staying in San Diego for three months to help the pandas adapt.

Thus, at the end of June, the two pandas safely arrived at the San Diego Zoo and went through an adaptation period. After the pandas were publicly revealed on the 8th, the TF formed for the panda transfer reportedly concluded its activities, according to WSJ. Baribolt said, "This moment feels unreal," and told his colleagues to "recognize that we have accomplished it."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.