San Diego Zoo Welcomes 2 New Pandas

The first pandas to enter the United States in 21 years arrived safely to San Diego Zoo. Named Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, these two pandas will spend the next few weeks acclimating to their new home in a private habitat at the zoo. Soon, however, family travelers will be able to see these two adorable pandas after they are closely monitored by expert wildlife health and care teams.

Yun Chuan is almost 5 years old; his mother Zhen Zhen was born in 2007. Yun Chuan is distinguishable by his long, slightly pointed nose. Xin Bao is nearly 4 years old; her name means “precious treasure of prosperity and abundance.” She is recognizable by her large, round face and big, fluffy ears.

The agreement between the zoo and its Chinese partners, from where the pandas came, stipulates any panda cubs born during this 10-year stay in San Diego will stay at the zoo until at least 2 years old. These cubs will then need to be sent to China before turning 4 years old.

The arrival of these two pandas continues the greater effort to study panda health and wellbeing. In 2021, these efforts changed the species’ status from Endangered to Vulnerable.

Stay tuned on the zoo’s official website to learn when you can see the pandas.