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Taiwan, eyeing offspring, says Chinese pandas settling in
Taipei (AFP) Dec 24, 2008 Two pandas gifted by China are adjusting well to their new surroundings in Taiwan, where proud officials said Wednesday they hope they will soon produce offspring. The giant pandas were transported Tuesday from their birthplace in China's Sichuan province to Taipei on a groundbreaking trip that is the latest sign of fast thawing ties between the traditional rivals. "We are proud to say that we are ready, and we want to reassure the people in Sichuan that we will take good care of Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan," said Taipei mayor Hau Lung-bin. "We will ensure that the pandas are happy and healthy, and hope that they will have offspring soon," he said at a welcoming ceremony in the pandas' new home in Taipei Zoo. Zhao Xuemin, who led a Chinese delegation of 22 animal experts accompanying the pandas to Taiwan, expressed similar wishes. "We will provide unconditional technical support to the Taipei Zoo so the pandas can grow robustly in Taipei and breed," said Zhao, who heads the China Wildlife Conservation Association. Zoo spokesman Jason Chin said the four-year-old animals were adjusting well to their new surroundings with a hearty appetite and a good night's rest. "Tuanyuan" -- a combination of the characters making up the two pandas' names -- means "reunion" or "unity" in Chinese. The bears are expected to be unveiled to the Taiwanese public during the Lunar New Year holidays starting January 25, if they complete their quarantine with a clean bill of health. "I am so excited that Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are here. I hope they will have babies soon so there will be more pandas" in Taiwan, said fifth grader Tsai Meng-an while visiting the zoo. However, the Taiwanese public will have to wait at least two years before Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan are mature enough for breeding, zoo officials said. The famously sexually inactive giant pandas are among the world's most endangered animals. The Taipei city government, which has invested around 10 million US dollars in an enclosure at Taipei zoo, expects them to attract six million visitors a year. The pandas were earmarked as envoys to Taiwan in 2006 but their arrival was only made possible after Beijing-friendly President Ma Ying-jeou took office earlier this year. Related Links Taiwan News at SinoDaily.com
Chinese pandas arrive in Taiwan
Taoyuan Airport, Taiwan (AFP) Dec 23, 2008A pair of giant pandas arrived in Taiwan Tuesday from southwest China on a historic mission amid warming ties between the two sides. |
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