Mara Hvistendahl conducted in-depth research, interviewed experts worldwide, and visited a breeding center in Chengdu, China. Joy Dong provided coverage from Hong Kong.
Oct. 15, 2024
A pair of adorable pandas, one male and one female, made their way to the National Zoo in Washington from China on Tuesday. The hope is that they will eventually become parents to cute cubs.
Such exchanges have played a significant role in making giant pandas global conservation icons.
Initially established to save the endangered species, the panda program aimed at zoos paying substantial sums annually per pair to aid China’s habitat preservation efforts. By adhering to breeding guidelines meticulously crafted for genetic diversity enhancement, zoos contributed towards this noble cause.
The ultimate goal was for China to reintroduce pandas into their natural habitat.
2024-10-15 14:45:47
Original article available at www.nytimes.com