China to Send Pandas to San Diego Zoo

China to Send Pandas , to San Diego Zoo.

On Feb.

22, China's state-run news agency, Xinhua, said that the China Wildlife Conservation Association... ... has made deals regarding "a new round of international cooperation for giant panda conservation" with both the San Diego Zoo and the Madrid Zoo, NBC News reports.

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The resurgence of "panda diplomacy" comes as only four pandas remained in the U.S. at Zoo Atlanta.

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Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji left the National Zoo in November, and Ya Ya left the Memphis Zoo in April, NBC News reports.

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One male panda and one female panda could arrive in San Diego by the end of summer.

We are humbled by the potential opportunity of continuing our collaborative conservation efforts to secure the future for giant pandas.

, Megan Owen, vice president of wildlife conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, via statement.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry also issued a statement.

We look forward to further expanding the results of scientific research on the protection of endangered species such as the giant panda.., Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, via news briefing.

... through the new round of international cooperation, promoting people-to-people connectivity and enhancing civilian friendship with relevant countries, Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, via news briefing.

NBC News reports that there are currently about 600 pandas in captivity around the globe and 1,800 in the wild