Two giant pandas departed from Ya'an City in southwest China's Sichuan Province for the United States on Wednesday evening, embarking on a 10-year international giant panda protection program.
Their relocation marks a new round of giant panda protection cooperation between the two countries, following the agreement signed in February between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the San Diego Zoo.
Yun Chuan, a five-year-old male, and Xin Bao, a four-year-old female, were selected from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP). During the journey, the duo was accompanied by experienced breeders and veterinarians sent by both countries.
To ensure the health and safety of the two giant pandas during the flight, the CCRCGP has prepared fresh bamboo, bamboo shoots, fruits, vegetables, Wotou—a traditional Chinese steamed bread—and clean drinking water.
The pair will transit through Hong Kong and are scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Thursday.
After they move into the San Diego Zoo, Chinese experts will stay with them for about three months to accompany them through the isolation and quarantine period, helping them quickly adapt to the new living environment.
During their stay at the San Diego Zoo, the public will have the opportunity to learn about the animals' daily lives and adaptations.
The CCRCGP has conducted scientific research in cooperation with the San Diego Zoo for over 25 years, with fruitful results in protecting, breeding, and controlling disease in giant pandas and related public education.
Giant pandas leave hometown for US
Giant pandas leave hometown for US
Giant pandas leave hometown for US
Giant pandas leave hometown for US
With just six years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global progress is alarmingly insufficient with only 17 percent of the targets are currently on track, according to a new U.N. report released on Friday.
The 2024 Sustainable Development Goals Report revealed that nearly half of the 17 goals are showing "minimal or moderate progress," while over a third are either "stalled or regressing."
These goals, adopted by U.N. member states in 2015, aim to bring peace and prosperity to people and the planet.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed accelerated actions for the Sustainable Development Goals because "We don't have a moment to lose."
The report noted that in 2022, an additional 23 million people were pushed into extreme poverty, and over 100 million more were suffering from hunger compared to 2019. Civilian deaths in armed conflict also skyrocketed last year. Furthermore, 2023 was the warmest year on record, with global temperatures nearing the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold.
Addressing the press, Li Junhua, U.N.under-secretary-general for economic and social affairs, said the international community should actively cope with climate change and drive SDG with green transition. He encouraged countries to provide green energy products for developing countries.
"First of all, from the U.N. secretariat, we absolutely believe all kinds of green energy products is [are] good public products, or public goods. And we absolutely believe that the green transition is one of the key areas to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 agenda to achieve our targets. So in this regard, I guess all the countries need to do their maximum efforts to provide the green energy products to all the customers, particularly [for] developing countries," Li said.
Only 17 percent of SDGs on track, new U.N. report reveals
