UK’s solely panda pair to return to China after 12 years

Yang Guang and Tian Tian arrived at Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo in December 2011 as a part of a 10-year association with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 5, 2023 14:40 IST

Yang Guang, a male large panda, has been at Edinburgh Zoo since 2011 (AFP photograph)

By India Today Web Desk: Yang Guang (Sunshine) and Tian Tian (Sweetie) – the one breeding pair of large pandas within the UK – will return to China after 12 years, stated Scotland’s Edinburg Zoo on Wednesday. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) advised AFP it would give the pair a “giant farewell” on the zoo earlier than their departure later this 12 months.

Yang Guang and Tian Tian arrived on the Edinburgh Zoo in December 2011 as a part of a 10-year association with the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The two had been anticipated to present start to a cub however the officers quickly realised they weren’t desirous to breed.

They failed in an try to artificially inseminate Tian Tian in 2013. Later, Yang Guang was castrated after getting therapy for testicular most cancers.

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According to the zoo officers, Yang Guang and Tian Tian may return to China as early as the tip of October 2023, two years after their mortgage was prolonged.

The Panda pair grew to become so well-known that they even had a particular tartan created of their honour, in black, white and gray representing their fur, and crimson to symbolise China. RZSS chief govt David Field stated the pair have had a “tremendous impact” and helped join tens of millions of individuals to nature.

It is a tough activity breeding Giant Pandas in captivity as they lose curiosity in mating the pure means or just have no idea methods to. According to the Pandas International conservation organisation, a feminine panda has a single oestrous cycle within the spring during which she is fertile for less than 24 to 36 hours.

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Pandas are discovered within the wild in southwest China, alongside the Tibetan Plateau. However, their inhabitants has been dwindling and the present inhabitants of untamed Giant Pandas is estimated at 1,864. There are roughly 600 in captivity in panda centres, zoos and wildlife parks around the globe.

As the UK prepares to bid goodbye to the liked Giant Panda pair, David Field stated the officers have had many successes by way of method exchanges, scientific analysis and public engagement.

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Edited By:

chingkheinganbi mayengbam

Published On:

Jan 5, 2023