Panda-monium in San Francisco! – Mayor London Breed announces SF Zoo will receive Giant Pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy program
From Mayor London Breed’s office:
“Pawsitively awesome news! Mayor London Breed just announced from her trip to China that the San Francisco Zoo will receive Giant Pandas as part of China’s Panda Diplomacy program.
This is the first time in our city’s history that we’ll have these adorable pandas as official residents. With pandas as our adorable ambassadors, we’re building a stronger connection between China and San Francisco. Get ready for an influx of visitors from all over the world!
“San Francisco is absolutely thrilled that we will be welcoming Giant Pandas to our San Francisco Zoo,” said Mayor London Breed. “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.”
Stay tuned for more updates, and let’s get ready to unleash the panda-monium!”
“Panda diplomacy will be making a stop in San Francisco.
Mayor London Breed announced Thursday that China will loan a pair of the popular cuddly creatures to her city sometime in the near future, reported SF Gate.
Breed made her pitch to Chinese President Ji Jinping during the Asian Pacific Economic Summit in San Francisco this past November.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association is working closely with the city to prepare for the Giant Pandas sometime in 2025, according to The Hill.
“Having Giant Pandas semi-permanently will be of significant importance to San Francisco’s local Chinese and API communities, as well as the City’s economic and tourism efforts as a major boost to San Francisco’s attractions and offerings,” the city said.
Just this past February, the San Diego Zoo also announced it would be receiving two pandas.
The city already has plans for a new panda enclosure and is in consultation with engineers in China to come up with a suitable plan. The pandas will not be sent to the city until the enclosure is completed, Axios San Francisco reported.
San Francisco last played host to two pandas in 1984 and 1985 as part of a global tour.”
