The leaders of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance‘s conservation and care team recently travelled to China, where they met Yun Chuan (pronounced Yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced song bao), the two giant pandas the San Diego Zoo will soon care for.
Yun Chuan is a kind, patient, and endearing male panda who is about five years old. Zhen Zhen, his mom, was born to Bai Yun and Gao Gao in 2007 at the San Diego Zoo. The initial letter of his name, “Yun,” is a homage to his grandma, Bai Yun, who thrived for 23 fruitful years in San Diego. Originating from Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base in the province of Sichuan, the second character of his name, “Chuan,” is a reference to his hometown.
Yun Chuan’s lineage has deep connections to the San Diego Zoo and we’re excited by the prospect of caring for them. “Our conservation partners in China shared photographs and personality traits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, but meeting them in person was so special. It’s inspiring as people from around the world come together to conserve, protect, and care for these special bears, and we can’t wait to welcome them to San Diego.
Dr. Megan Owen, vice president of conservation science at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
Xin Bao, a female giant panda, was born in Wolong Shenshuping Panda Base and is almost four years old. She is an introvert who is kind and clever, and she has a lovely round face and large ears. In her name is the meaning of a “new treasure of prosperity and abundance.”
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is coordinating with its conservation partners in the United States and China to prepare for Yun Chuan and Xin Bao’s possible arrival to the San Diego Zoo this summer, although the exact date of their arrival is yet unknown.