Two Red Pandas from Shanghai Arrive in Taipei; Taipei Zoo Says They Are in Good Condition

(Central News Agency, reporter Chen Yuting, Taipei, 6th) The red pandas from Shanghai Zoo, whose exchange was agreed upon in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at the 2024 Taipei-Shanghai Forum, arrived at Taipei Zoo today. The zoo stated that the two red pandas are in good condition; the male began eating quickly, while the female is cautious and shy.

The Taipei City Government and the Shanghai City Government signed an MOU on red panda species exchange at the 2024 Taipei-Shanghai Forum. The original plan was to exchange black-footed penguins from Taipei Zoo for red pandas from Shanghai Zoo. However, to accommodate Shanghai's needs, the MOU was revised with central government approval to exchange white-handed gibbons instead.

After a handover ceremony at Shanghai Zoo yesterday, the two red pandas arrived at Taipei Zoo early this morning.

Taipei Zoo stated in a press release that the two red pandas are a 3-year-old male and a 2-year-old female. They were in excellent condition upon arrival. The male immediately began sniffing around the quarantine room and started eating quickly, while the female cautiously and shyly observed her new environment.

The zoo said the two red pandas will stay in the quarantine suite for one month. After that, they will move to the Temperate Zone Animal Area and will meet the public once they are familiar with their new surroundings.

The zoo explained that the red panda is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It hopes that by introducing new bloodlines, it can maintain a healthy ex-situ population size, age structure, and genetic diversity, contributing to the zoo's species conservation efforts. (Editor: Li Shuhua) 1150606