San Francisco Zoo Is About To Get First Giant Pandas in Decades
There are fewer than 2,000 Giant Pandas remaining in the wild so the announcement that China will be sending giant Pandas to live at the San Francisco Zoo is fantastic news for the future of this endangered species!
The zoo has been selected to receive Giant Pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy program.
In a press release Mayor London Breed said, "We have been working closely with our local API community to advocate for pandas nearly a year ago leading up to APEC in November, and it’s an honor that our City has been chosen for the first time to be a long-term home for Giant Pandas. San Francisco is an international destination and the gateway to the Asia Pacific – having pandas here will strengthen our already deep cultural connection and honors our Chinese and API heritage that is core to San Francisco’s history."
Related: Impressive Video Gives a Rare Glimpse of the Only All-White Panda in the World
The timeline for the arrival of the pandas will be set by the completion of a panda enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo.
What exciting news for the zoo!
CNN reports, "In February, it was announced that China would be sending two giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo – marking the first time it has granted new panda loans in the US in two decades."
Fun Facts About Giant Pandas
In addition to being absolutely adorable, giant Pandas are super fascinating creatures.
Giant pandas are classified as endangered, with a population of fewer than 2,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Their main threats include habitat loss, and human activities.
Giant pandas spend 10-16 hours a day feeding, mainly on bamboo. A panda’s diet is 99% vegetarian, which mostly includes bamboo roots, stems, shoots and leaves.They have also been known to forage at nearby farms for kidney beans, pumpkins and pig food!
Female pandas give birth to one or two cubs every two years. Cubs stay with their mothers for 18 months before venturing off on their own. Their mothers often protect them by placing a paw on the cub's head.
If you would like information about the San Fransisco Zoo including zoo hours, admission prices, directions and information about special exhibits, you can visit their website here.
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