Denmark will be the ninth country in Europe to have pandas

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Europe

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With the arrival of Mao Er and Xing Er on April 4 from the research base in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Denmark will be the ninth country in Europe to host pandas.

Danish zookeeper Pernille Goerup Andersen interacts with panda Xing Er at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, China, April 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Mao Er is a four-year-old girl who is gentle and quiet, and her company Xing Er is a five-year-old lively boy who loves taking baths and climbing trees. They will start a new life at Copenhagen Zoo in Denmark for the next 15 years.

Interacting with Xing Er, April 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

Panda is a symbol of China. They are sent abroad, not only for building good relations between countries, but also for conducting research to help remove the giant panda from the endangered species list. In addition to China, pandas are found in zoos and breeding centers in 18 countries.

A map of pandas homes outside of China. /CGTN Graphic‍

China and Denmark have worked together on a giant panda research project for years. In 2014, both countries agreed on the project during Queen Margrethe II's state visit to China. On May 3, 2017, China and Denmark signed an agreement for 15-year giant panda research.

Mao Er and Xing Er's new panda home was inspired by the Chinese yin and yang symbol, which consists of a circular shape but can be divided into two parts to allow male and female pandas to have their own space. But when mating season comes, they can easily access a common area.

Danish zookeeper Rasmus Pedersen feeds panda Mao Sun at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, China, April 2, 2019. /VCG Photo

(Top image: Panda Xing Er at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu. /VCG Photo)

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