China to lend Canada two giant pandas for a decade
Posted February 11, 2012 1:55 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
On the last day of his visit to China, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that China will be lending Canada two giant pandas for a decade.
Calling it an “obvious gesture of friendship,” Harper announced that the pandas will spend five years at the Toronto Zoo and then another five years at the Calgary Zoo.
The giant panda exhibit will open in Spring 2013, according to officials from the Toronto Zoo. They add that the pandas will remain during the 2015 Pan-Am Games.
“We are honoured to host the pandas at the Toronto Zoo and contribute to the survival of the species for generations to come,” said Mr. Tracogna, CEO, Toronto Zoo. “The Toronto Zoo is thrilled to join the small group of countries and highly respected zoo organizations outside of China that have the conservation and research programs, professional expertise, and facilities to provide excellent care for a breeding pair of pandas.”
Harper called the gift of pandas an important deal, and not just for the Canadians who’ll get to see them in person.
“The length of that loan indicates the degree of commitment that the Chinese really do have and the optimism they have for the relationship going forward,” Harper said.
Pandas were last at the Toronto Zoo in 1985 for three months, during which time the zoo experienced its highest annual attendance ever with 1.9-million visitors.
“It is a tremendous honour for Canada to be entrusted with two of China’s national treasures: the Giant Pandas Er Shun and Ji Li,” Harper said in a release. “The pandas, which will delight Canadian children and adults alike, and be a boon to tourism in Toronto and Calgary, will be an enduring reminder of the deep friendship and goodwill that exists between our countries.”
