Edinburgh Zoo's new pandas melt hearts as they go on public display

PA

Edinburgh Zoo's two new pandas have gone on public display for the first time since their arrival on 4 December.

Eight-year-olds Tian Tian and Yang Guang were yesterday visited by the first of the 600 pre-booked tourists, marking a 200% numbers rise for a usual Friday in December.

The pandas, from the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan, are to stay for 10 years at Edinburgh Zoo, where officials hope they will give birth to cubs.

PA

The loan marked the beginning of a UK-China research programme on the animals, and both sides have described it as a signal of a growing friendship between Scotland and China.

The pandas are living in separate £250,000 enclosures and will be introduced to each other when Tian Tian comes into season around February time.


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