Two Red Pandas from Shanghai Zoo Expected to Arrive in Taipei on June 6 in Exchange for Gibbons
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced that two red pandas from the Shanghai Zoo are expected to arrive in Taiwan on June 6, marking a concrete achievement in city-to-city exchanges. Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua explained that, in response to Shanghai's request, the exchange species has been changed from black-footed penguins to white-handed gibbons. The revised MOU has been approved by the central government.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 18:52
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(CNA reporter Chen Yu-ting, Liu Jian-bang, Taipei, June 4) Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said today that two red pandas from Shanghai are expected to arrive in Taiwan on June 6, a concrete result of exchanges between the two cities. Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua explained that, in response to the needs of the Shanghai Zoo, the exchange species has been changed from black-footed penguins to white-handed gibbons.
The Taipei City Government and the Shanghai City Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on red panda species exchange at the 2024 Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum, planning to exchange black-footed penguins from Taipei Zoo for red pandas from Shanghai Zoo. According to a notification from the Shanghai side, the Shanghai Zoo will hold a handover ceremony for the two red pandas tomorrow.
Lin Yi-hua, during a break in questioning at the Taipei City Council this afternoon, told the media that Taipei City Department of Education Deputy Director Liao Wen-ching will lead zoo personnel to attend the handover ceremony held by the Shanghai side tomorrow. The two red pandas will then depart for Taiwan accompanied by Shanghai Zoo staff, arriving on the 6th, after which they will undergo a one-month quarantine period.
Furthermore, Lin pointed out that the Shanghai side assessed that the breeding of black-footed penguins in their zoo was going well, so both sides have adjusted the exchange species from black-footed penguins to white-handed gibbons. The revised MOU has been approved by the central government, and substantive procedures and schedule discussions will follow.
Before his questioning session, Chiang Wan-an told the media that the arrival of the two red pandas from Shanghai Zoo on June 6 is very meaningful for animal conservation and maintaining genetic diversity, and can also provide life education opportunities for children. He looks forward to the red pandas meeting the public as soon as possible after the one-month quarantine period. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150604
The Taipei City Government and the Shanghai City Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on red panda species exchange at the 2024 Taipei-Shanghai Twin City Forum, planning to exchange black-footed penguins from Taipei Zoo for red pandas from Shanghai Zoo. According to a notification from the Shanghai side, the Shanghai Zoo will hold a handover ceremony for the two red pandas tomorrow.
Lin Yi-hua, during a break in questioning at the Taipei City Council this afternoon, told the media that Taipei City Department of Education Deputy Director Liao Wen-ching will lead zoo personnel to attend the handover ceremony held by the Shanghai side tomorrow. The two red pandas will then depart for Taiwan accompanied by Shanghai Zoo staff, arriving on the 6th, after which they will undergo a one-month quarantine period.
Furthermore, Lin pointed out that the Shanghai side assessed that the breeding of black-footed penguins in their zoo was going well, so both sides have adjusted the exchange species from black-footed penguins to white-handed gibbons. The revised MOU has been approved by the central government, and substantive procedures and schedule discussions will follow.
Before his questioning session, Chiang Wan-an told the media that the arrival of the two red pandas from Shanghai Zoo on June 6 is very meaningful for animal conservation and maintaining genetic diversity, and can also provide life education opportunities for children. He looks forward to the red pandas meeting the public as soon as possible after the one-month quarantine period. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150604