Get your panda fix at the zoo starting this month (San Diego Zoo)
Zoo, Balboa Park

Panda Mania at the San Diego Zoo

By Frank Sabatini Jr.

It’s been a long, suspenseful drum roll leading up to the introduction of Xin Bao and Yun Chuan, the first panda bears to arrive in the U.S. from China in 21 years. After more than a month of speculation as to when the young, adorable pair of bamboo-eating fur balls would be able to meet the San Diego Zoo’s eager public, an animal care team finally set Aug. 8 as the starting date.

Before the bears embarked on their long journey to San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria flew to China for their send off. He was joined by conservation experts and leaders of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

Four-year-old Xin Bao is a female described by zoo officials as a “gentle and witty introvert.” And 5-year-old Yun Chuan is the “mild-mannered” son of mama Zhen Zhen, who was born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007.

Panda Ridge is the name of a lush, expanded exhibition space at the zoo, where the pair will call home. The arrival of the pandas are part of an international conservation program to help save them from extinction.

The zoo recently announced three ways in which visitors can see the pandas in the coming months. Best to act fast because so far thousands of enthusiasts have come knocking.