Shanghai, Taipei zoos to jointly seek mates for red pandas

(ECNS) -- At the 2024 Shanghai-Taipei City Forum on Tuesday, the two cities signed a memorandum on the exchange and conservation of red panda species.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said that the Taipei Zoo lacks suitable mates to ensure the continued breeding of its red pandas. Fortunately, the Shanghai Zoo has red pandas available, leading to the desire for cooperation between the two zoos.

Spokesperson for the Taipei Zoo, Cao Xianshao, told China News Service that most of the red pandas at the zoo are cousins, and that it hopes to introduce new genes to optimize the population.

The Taipei Zoo currently has 11 red pandas. Of the 8, that are still capable of breeding, 7 are descendants of red pandas sent by the Strait Panda Research and Exchange Center in Fuzhou City in 2014, and 1 comes from Japan, according to Cao.

Both zoos will collaborate to find suitable mates for Taipei’s red pandas in Shanghai, considering factors such as bloodline, age, and health.

Additionally, Shanghai Zoo plans to introduce its Taipei counterpart’s jackass penguins to enhance its population.

The memorandum includes animal exchange, professional development, and personnel exchange, fully supported by Taipei City.