Early in the morning of October 19th local time (noon Beijing time on the 19th), the Chinese giant pandas "Sihai" and "Beijing" arrived at Hamad International Airport located in the capital of Qatar Doha .
Giant panda "Sihai" is a sweet and quiet "little girl". Giant panda "Beijing" is a smart "big boy" who loves to climb trees. He was born on July 26, 2019 and September 19, 2018 at the Wolong Shenshuping Base in the Center of Pandas on July 26, 2019 and September 19, 2018.
giant panda "Four Seas". Panda Center Photo provided by
The picture shows the giant panda "Beijing". Panda Center Photo provided by
It is understood that in May 2020, China and Qatar signed a cooperation agreement on giant panda protection and research to further promote international cooperation in giant panda protection and research, and promote endangered species and biodiversity protection of in China and Qatar.
In this trip to Qatar, in order to accompany and help giant pandas adapt to the new environment, the Panda Center sent experienced breeders and veterinary experts to randomly go there. "We prepared steamed buns, bamboo shoots, carrots and other foods for the giant pandas to ensure their journey needs," said Dong Li, a breeder.
giant panda "Beijing" is for transportation preparation. Photo provided by Panda Center
According to the cooperation agreement on giant panda protection research reached by China and Qatar, these two giant pandas will live in Qatar in the next 15 years, which is the first pair of giant pandas ushered in the Middle East. To welcome their arrival, the Qatar government carefully built the giant panda pavilion, which is also the first giant panda pavilion in the Middle East.
Located 50 kilometers north of Doha, the capital of Qatar, Hall Park was built in 1983 and is one of the oldest parks in Qatar. In 2021, the park specially built a giant panda hall.
Taiwan reporter Mi Chunze:
I am now in the first giant panda hall in Middle East , which is specially built by Qatar for two Chinese giant pandas. Behind me is the giant panda's "bedroom", outside the "bedroom" is a "living room" for its daily activities, surrounded by corridors. After the giant panda pavilion was officially opened to the public, people were able to stand in the corridor to interact with the two giant pandas, the "owner" of the pavilion.
In order to ensure the breeding, food supply and medical safety of giant pandas, the venue is equipped with a nursery room, a treatment room, a food preparation room, a bamboo fresh storage room, a safety monitoring room, etc. Qatar's dry climate and high temperatures are the biggest challenge for pandas to live in the local area. The giant panda hall simulates the four-season changes in the natural habitat of giant pandas as much as possible, providing giant pandas with cool indoor living conditions in desert climates.
General Head of the Qatar Panda Feeding and Management Team Tim Bautt:
We must ensure that everything is appropriate, 100% guaranteed, and the temperature and humidity are appropriate. During the cooperation project on giant panda protection research, Chinese experts will also visit Qatar from time to time to inspect the living conditions of giant pandas and provide support to Qatar staff.
Qatar Giant Panda Pavilion Director Gao Yongsi:
In the daily activities of caring for giant pandas, in addition to feeding and cleaning, we also train with them to let us understand their health status.
After the giant panda "Sihai" and "Beijing" arrived in Doha, the capital of Qatar, they would need to undergo about three weeks of isolation and quarantine before formally meeting the public. Despite this, many local people are already looking forward to it, hoping to see the giant panda that they have only seen on TV.
Local resident Hakim:
I have only seen giant pandas on TV, and have never seen them with my own eyes.It's great that the giant pandas can come to us, and Qatar will entertain attentively. At the same time, millions of tourists who come here every year can also see giant pandas.
Local resident Mustafa:
This is the first time that a giant panda has come to the Middle East. We all look forward to seeing giant pandas. Thank China for providing us with such an opportunity.
Local resident Harlig:
Giant panda looks cute, but I have never been close to it. Now that I have such an opportunity, of course I have to go see it.
Local residents Arash:
It is a great thing to see Chinese giant pandas. I think everyone will be very excited because giant pandas are not visible at any time, especially the climate in Qatar is very different from China.
When the children learned about the arrival of giant pandas, their enthusiasm and love were beyond words.
Local children Daliya:
I like the gentle look of giant pandas.
Local children Su Ade:
I am very happy that the giant pandas can come to Qatar, and I want to take everyone in my family to see the giant pandas.
source: China News Network, CCTV News Client
