The "Meixiang" family of giant pandas traveling to the United States arrived in Chengdu and will meet the public as soon as December

Home! The special plane carrying the giant pandas "Meixiang", "Tiantian", and "Little Miracle" residing in the United States arrived in Chengdu safely at 23:24 Beijing time on November 9th. It is about to go to the Ya'an Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center (referred to as the "Panda Center") for a month of quarantine.

It is reported that the three giant pandas returning to China this time, including the female giant panda "Meixiang" born on July 22, 1998, and the male giant panda "Tiantian" born on August 27, 1997. Both were born at the Walnut Ping Wildlife Training Base of the Panda Center and have been residing at the Washington National Zoo in the United States since December 2000. The male giant panda cub "Little Miracle" is three years old and gave birth to "Meixiang" on August 21, 2020. It is also the fourth child of "Meixiang" and was first seen in public in May 2021.

The Boeing 777 freighter of FedEx "FedEx Panda Express" is responsible for this transportation. The flight is equipped with 220 pounds of bamboo, 8 pounds of special biscuits, 5 pounds of low starch biscuits, 6 pounds of apples, 5 pounds of carrots, 6 pounds of sweet potatoes, 3 pounds of sugar cane, 1 pound of pears and 1 pound of cooked pumpkin, accompanied by a veterinarian and two keepers.

It is understood that the "Meixiang" family returned to China this time due to the expiration of the protection cooperation agreement between the three parties. Currently, there are four giant pandas residing in the United States, currently at the Atlanta Zoo.

To ensure smooth transportation, the China Wildlife Conservation Association sent an expert team to the United States in April this year to conduct inspections and evaluations of the health and breeding management of giant pandas, and arranged for an expert to stay in the United States to assist in breeding management and transportation preparations.

At present, the three giant pandas are in good health. Meixiang and Tiantian have previously experienced common diseases in elderly giant pandas such as arthritis, hypertension, and mild ascites, but their related symptoms have been well controlled. "Little Miracle" has developed normally and is healthy and lively.

The staff of the Panda Center introduced that the "Meixiang" family is about to move into a dedicated enclosure and undergo a one month quarantine. During the quarantine period, there will be dedicated personnel to accompany and live. If there are no abnormalities, the "Meixiang" family will meet with the public in December.

Reference : Chuanguan News