Giant Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo
On 4 December 2011 Edinburgh Zoo welcomed the first pair of Giant Pandas the UK has seen in 17 years. Tian Tian (meaning ‘sweetie’) and Yang Guang (‘sunshine’) were greeted by crowds of well-wishers, and even bag pipes, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Zoo’s latest residents.
The male and female pair flew 9 hours in a specially chartered FedEx express jet from China in separate compartments. They will not be formally introduced until February/March 2012 when it is hoped that they will prove successful breeding partners.
Giant Pandas are the second most threatened species in the world and their arrival in Edinburgh is the result of a 5-year campaign by Edinburgh Zoo.
The Pandas will be on display at Edinburgh Zoo from the 16 December 2011. You must pre-book a slot before your arrival. This is for reservation purposes only – admission is included in the price of a ticket.
Before you visit Tian Tian and Yang Guang, here are 5 things you may not know about pandas:
1. The scientific name for the Giant Panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca translates as ‘black and white cat footed animal’
2. Although mainly vegetarian, Pandas are actually part of the Carnivore family. Scientists do not fully understand why they adopted a vegetarian diet; one theory is that competition for meat with other carnivores was too high. They are reported to occasionally eat the odd small rodent
3. Pandas spend between 10 – 16 hours of their day eating
4. The soles of Panda’s feet are hairy. This is to reduce heat-loss during the snowy winter months and to give them traction when on the move
5. A Giant Panda has up to 11 distinctive vocal calls
Did you know: you can visit Edinburgh Zoo with an Edinburgh Pass? For just £29 you can visit Edinburgh Zoo as well as other popular attractions such as The Edinburgh Dungeon and the Nelson Monument.