After months of preparation for their journey from a sanctuary in Yaan, China, the first giant pandas in 20 years to make the trip from China to the United States are ready to go.
It’s not clear when the public will be able to get their first glimpse at pandas Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-an) and Xin Bao (pronounced sing bao) at the San Diego Zoo, but it’s expected to be at some point this summer, NBC News correspondent Janis Mackey Frayer reported June 26 on TODAY.
“There’s a magic that I can’t begin to explain, but you all feel it. Whenever you get an opportunity to see one up close, and you see them look back in your eyes, it’s powerful,” the San Diego Zoo’s told Frayer on TODAY.
Baribault is part of a delegation from the zoo who are in China for the pandas’ send-off.
While there is secrecy around the pandas’ exact departure plans, Frayer shared on TODAY June 25 that the animals will go into crates transported via truck to an airport for their specialized flight to the U.S.
“We’re always looking out for what’s best for the pandas, and so we want to make sure that nothing distracts from us just doing the best by the giant pandas,” Dr. Megan Owen, vice president of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said on TODAY in the June 26 segment.
Their Chinese handler, Wang Shan, will make the trip with the pandas, giving them their food and helping them settle once they reach San Diego. He said on TODAY on June 26 that he will miss the lovable pair.
“Absolutely,” he said. “We consider them our friends.”
The pandas will celebrate their next birthday in San Diego. They were both born days apart in late July, and a celebration with a cake of frozen fruit and carrots is being planned.
The birthday bash may or may not be open to the public, depending on whether the pandas have finished their acclimation period in quarantine to adjust to the new climate and different food.
Experts also told Frayer that the pandas have a fondness for each other that could mean panda babies down the road.
Once the animals are situated, those who are interested in visiting them should plan accordingly: The ideal time to see them is in the morning when it hasn’t gotten too hot. Later in the day, they enjoy sleeping in the shade.
