On October 18, the farewell ceremony for giant pandas "Four Seas" and "Beijing" to Qatar was held at the Ya'an Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center, which started a cooperation journey for giant panda protection and research in China. This is also the first time that giant pandas have traveled to the Middle East.
The giant panda "Sihai" is a sweet and quiet "little girl". She was born on July 26, 2019 at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in the Center of Pandas on July 26, 2019; the giant panda "Beijing" is a smart "big boy" who loves to climb trees. She was born on September 19, 2018 at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in the Center of Pandas on July 19, 2018, and later lived in the Ya'an base.
At 3:30 pm, a convoy carrying "Sihai" and "Beijing" slowly drove out of the Ya'an base, headed to Chengdu Shuangliu Airport, and took a special plane to Qatar. To accompany and help giant pandas adapt to the new environment, the Panda Center sent experienced breeders and veterinary experts to randomly visit. "We prepared steamed buns, bamboo shoots, carrots and other foods for the giant pandas to ensure their journey needs." said Dong Li, a breeder.
To ensure that the two giant pandas successfully start a new life in Qatar, both China and Qatar have made full preparations. More than a month ago, the Panda Center implemented quarantine and physical examinations on two giant pandas, and their health was in good condition. China has also sent expert teams to Qatar on many occasions for on-site guidance and on-site evaluation of the venues, assisting the Qatar in forming a professional giant panda breeding and management team, and completing the supply of staple food bamboo.
In order to welcome the arrival of the "Four Seas" and "Beijing", the Qatar government has carefully built a giant panda hall. The venue is fully functional, and the two giant pandas will have an air-conditioned sports field, an indoor exhibition hall, and an independent "bedroom". In addition, in order to ensure the breeding, food supply and medical safety of giant pandas, there are also nursery rooms, treatment rooms, food preparation rooms, bamboo freshenergy rooms, safety monitoring rooms, etc.
It is reported that in order to further promote international cooperation in giant panda protection and research and promote the protection of endangered species and biodiversity between China and Qatar, in May 2020, China and Qatar signed a cooperation agreement on giant panda protection and research.
