Giant pandas Stay At Edinburgh Zoo Extended For Two Years

Scotland will remain home to the UK's only giant pandas for two more years following an agreement to extend their stay with the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's Edinburgh Zoo.

Yang Guang and Tian Tian arrived in Edinburgh in December 2011 as part of a 10-year arrangement between the wildlife conservation charity and the China Wildlife Conservation Association. The pair will now return to China at the end of 2023.

David Field, RZSS chief executive, said, "We are thrilled that Yang Guang and Tian Tian will be staying at Edinburgh Zoo for two more years. "Through co-operation with our partners in China, we have had many successes over the past ten years in terms of technique exchanges, scientific research and public engagement.

"Yang Guang and Tian Tian have helped millions of people connect with nature, so it is fantastic that they will be with us a little longer before we say goodbye, especially as the pandemic has made it much harder for people to visit them. "We also hope that international travel restrictions will ease over the next two years, meaning our giant panda keepers will be able to travel with Yang Guang and Tian Tian to China and help them settle into their new homes. This will be ideal as they both have strong bonds with our panda team."

The charity has confirmed that breeding will not be attempted during the final two years of the giant pandas being in Edinburgh.

"A cub would have generated even more interest in giant pandas and given Tian Tian a wonderful opportunity to be a mother again, after she gave birth in China." said Field. "However, natural and artificial insemination breeding attempts have not been successful and now is the time to move on and just enjoy having Yang Guang and Tian Tian with us for two more years."