Panda Diplomacy: Bear pair make themselves at home at Moscow zoo

World
Europe

01:20

On the sidelines of President Xi's visit to Russia, a pair of giant pandas are making themselves at home at the Moscow zoo. Three-year-old male Ru Yi and two-year-old female Ding Ding, arrived in the Russian capital in late-April from China's southwestern Sichuan province. Zookeepers hope the young couple will start a family in their newfound home.

After a month at the Moscow Zoo, Ru Yi and Ding Ding have adapted to their new surroundings.

WANG PINGFENG PANDA KEEPER "Ru Yi is careless and casual, and became accustomed to the new keepers and surroundings very quickly. Ding Ding is a little bit timid. We cut the bamboo into slices and feed her to let her get familiar with her new keeper and the keeper's smell."

Ru Yi and Ding Ding will live at the Zoo during a 15-year collaborative research project.

SVETLANA AKULOVA DIRECTOR, MOSCOW ZOO "They are here to enlighten our people. And for that reason, in the panda pavilion, we have also installed an educational exhibition. I hope our relationship deepens, and I hope we will write many research papers on these wonderful giant pandas."

The pair is expected to attract millions of visitors in the coming years. And serve as ambassadors to promote China-Russia exchanges.