Calls for pandas to stay at Edinburgh Zoo
Local MP Christine Jardine is calling for Tian Tian and Yang Guang to stay in the Capital for good
Last updated 12th Jan 2023
An Edinburgh MP is calling for the city's pandas to stay at Edinburgh Zoo, after it was announced the pair were due to return to China this year.
It follows the announcement that Tian Tian and Yang Guang are heading back to China.
They have been at Edinburgh Zoo on a 10 year loan agreement - although this was extended due to the pandemic.
Special farewell events are being planned, with the animals preparing to leave as early as October.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Zoo's giant pandas set to return to China later this year
But Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine is appealing to the Chinese to allow the pandas to stay in the Capital for the rest of their lives
"Everybody in Edinburgh loves the pandas. But more importantly, Edinburgh is what the pandas know, they've been here for more than a decade now. It's their home. The zookeepers are the friends and the humans that they're used to.
"So for their sake, I would I would appeal to the Chinese. We know that they are very special to China. They're very special to us here too. And maybe best if they stayed in Edinburgh to be looked after for the remainder of their lives."
David Field, RZSS chief executive, said: "We were thrilled to extend Yang Guang and Tian Tian's stay at Edinburgh Zoo, especially as the pandemic made it much harder for people to visit and would have prevented our giant panda keepers from travelling to China to help the pair settle into their new homes.
"As the UK's only giant pandas, they have been incredibly popular with visitors, which has helped to connect millions of people to nature as well as raising vital funds for wildlife conservation.
"Through a new range of events and experiences, we will be providing as many opportunities as possible for people to say goodbye and to celebrate the tremendous impact these two charismatic bears have had on our communities, helping to create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.
"Panda magic moments will be popular, with our members, patrons and giant panda adopters having the opportunity to meet and feed Yang Guang.
"Other experiences available to everyone will include panda talks and brunch events.
"The funds raised will help us to save wildlife from extinction, including species in Scotland such as the wildcat and pine hoverfly, chimpanzees in Uganda and giant armadillos in Brazil."
Despite efforts to breed the two pandas, female Tian Tian has not produced a cub during her time in Edinburgh.
She was believed to be pregnant in August 2017 but her hormone levels and behaviour later returned to normal.