Edinburgh Zoo celebrates One Year with Pandas
Edinburgh Zoo reported that it has recorded a hughe increase in visits since the arrival of its two giant pandas exactly a year ago.
More than 800,000 people have flocked to the attraction since the beginning of the year, compared with 525,000 over the whole of 2011. Just over 500,000 people have now seen Tian Tian & Yang Guang, with almost all sessions fully booked between May and September.
The society says it has also increased its membership by 25%, to just over 25,000.
Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived at Edinburgh Zoo on December 4, 2011after a 5,000-mile flight from China. Princess Anne and actress Nicole Kidman have been among their most famous visitors.
On the first Anniversary of their arrival in Scotland, the panda keepers were keen to spoil the panda pair with some of their favourite treats to mark the occasion – panda cake and honey!
Iain Valentine, Director of Research and Conservation at the zoo, said: “We’re delighted with how it’s gone over the last year. Most panda sessions were completely sold out between May and the end of September and it is still pretty busy.”
It is hoped the research on the two pandas over the last year will help their chances of breeding in the spring. Light levels in their enclosure are to be adjusted to try to synchronise their breeding cycles.
Darren McGarry, Head of Animals at the zoo, said: “Their first year at their new home has been wonderful … and we have learnt so much about them.”
Source: Edinburgh Zoo & Scotsman.com
Photo Credit: Rob McDougall / Scotsman.com
