The Calgary Zoo says it’s hopeful two giant pandas will be able to return home soon to China, where bamboo supplies are abundant.
The zoo said in May that it would be sending the pair back early because the COVID-19 pandemic was making it difficult to source the plant that makes up 99 per cent of their diet.
But international permits to transport the pandas to China were also stymied by the pandemic, and the zoo raised concerns last month about the animals’ well-being.
The zoo says international permit approvals are now underway and it’s cautiously optimistic it will be able to confirm a flight to China for the pandas soon.
- Calgary’s Nose Hill parking lot, pathway closed as search continues for Parker
- Canadian intern at NATO military HQ arrested in Belgium on spying charge
- More than 250,000 people flee their homes in France and Spain as wildfires burn
- Feds received more than 21,000 emails on proposed changes to major project reviews
It says it has secured a supply of fresh bamboo from across North America in anticipation of its Canadian supply running out this month.
The zoo says the bamboo hunt has been all-consuming and expensive, but the zoo is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the pandas are healthy.
Er Shun and Da Mao arrived in Calgary in 2018, along with cubs Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue, after spending five years at the Toronto Zoo. The cubs were returned to China in January and their parents were to remain in Calgary until 2023.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.