After 100 days of anticipation, The Toronto Zoo began limited public viewing of 2 baby Giant Pandas today, a day after an elaborate naming ceremony attended by a host of dignitaries including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The Giant Panda cubs, a boy and a girl were born October 13, 2015 to parents Er Shun and Di Mao, who are on a 10 year loan to Canada by the Chinese Government. The two Giant Pandas arrived in 2013 and are scheduled to be at the Toronto Zoo until 2018 followed by a 5 year stay at the Calgary Zoo.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds Panda Cubs Photo: Toronto Zoo
Zookeeper bottle feeds baby panda. Photo: Eric Novak
Photo: Toronto Zoo
Photo: Toronto Zoo
Named Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue which stand for Canadian Hope and Canadian Joy respectively are the first two Giant Pandas ever born in Canada. At this time it is unclear whether the newborns will travel to Calgary in 2018 or whether their stay in Toronto will be extended. Giant Pandas are among the most endangered species in the world with less than 1,700 remaining in the wild – exclusively in China.
Initial viewing this week is reserved for the Toronto Zoo’s 27,000 members as well as the media. Public viewing begins as of Saturday, March 12th which also coincides with the beginning of March Break across the GTA. It is expected that the new arrivals will generate a spike in attendance during not only March Break but well into the year ahead.
For more information on the Giant Pandas as well as the Toronto Zoo itself, visit www.torontozoo.com
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