Pandas are a precious animal and a Chinese treasure, with people from all over the world adoring them. Recently, people have been talking about the news that giant pandas are coming to Dongguan. On the evening of 3rd August, a pair of panda brothers from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding arrived in Dongguan. They will make their debut to Dongguan residents after a few days acclimatisation.

　　The Panda Brothers flew from Chengdu to Shenzhen Airport by plane, then nearly two hours to Dongguan Xiangshi zoo. Mr. Yang, the breeder of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, said that the two pandas are adapting to the new environment. For long distance transportation, pandas experience a degree of stress reaction. Panda “Zhen Da” is particularly sensitive and exhibits a stress reaction like a dog barking. Panda “Shuang Er” is more introverted, but has yet to exit the cage, which is a stress response. Only when they feel safe and stable can they meet with tourists.

　　The two giant pandas who arrived are called “Zhen Da” and “Shuang Er” respectively. They are brothers of the same father but a different mother. The genealogy number of “Zhen Da” is 629 and it has a pointed mouth and a long body. The genealogy number of “Shuang Er” is 644 and is more outgoing, yet docile.

　　Their “new home” in Dongguan can be regarded as a luxury house. The Panda Hall covers an area of more than 2,000 square metres and is divided into two parts. The main body of the building is a rockery. The park is fully equipped with pavilions, swimming pools and bamboo forests. Panda Square was built on the outside of the Panda Hall and a number of lifelike panda dolls have begun to welcome tourists. Zoo officials said that the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is specially equipped with two full-time breeders and the Dongguan Xiangshi zoo is equipped with three full-time breeders. A total of five breeders are taking full time care of the pandas. Each panda consumes 50kg of bamboo daily, which is airlifted from Chengdu every two days.

　　The living Environment of Panda

　　A comfortable living environment

　　The panda brothers now sleep in addition to eating. They require a further 3 to 5 days to adapt to their new environment. When you visit giant pandas at the Panda Hall, be sure to follow staff instructions and don’t shout. Please turn off your flash when taking photos. Pandas will meet you soon.

　　(By Grace Rong and Sev Pischl)