Edinburgh Zoo is granting visitors one last chance to see its giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, before they return to China in December under the terms of their 10-year loan, which was extended by two years due to Covid-19. The exact date has not been announced, but the zoo-run Royal Zoological Society of Scotland warns that access will be limited from Thursday 30 November. The zoo has been paying China £750,000 annually for the pair since they arrived in Scotland in 2011, but they failed to bear offspring, despite eight rounds of artificial insemination. In 2021, the Giant Panda breeding programme was abandoned after its last failed attempt.
David Field, CEO of RZSS, stated that “through scientific research by our expert veterinary and keeper teams, working alongside the University of Edinburgh, we have made a significant contribution to our understanding around giant panda fertility, husbandry, and veterinary care, which has been of real benefit to efforts to protect this amazing species in China.” He added that “it is encouraging that in recent years the outlook for giant pandas in the wild has improved, which gives real hope for the future.”
He also stated that Yang Guang and Tian Tian have had a significant impact by encouraging millions of people to care about nature, particularly at a time when more than a million species are under threat of extinction. In addition, the increased interest in their departure this year has connected people with conservation causes and nature more generally.
The giant pandas’ presence in Scotland has helped raise awareness and funding for RZSS conservation efforts and has also allowed visitors to connect with the animals directly. Despite the disappointing outcome of their breeding programme, their time in Scotland has contributed to research and understanding of the species. The pandas have had a lasting impact on the lives of visitors, staff, and researchers alike
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More