The kings of cuddles and all things cute will be making their way to our shores in 2014!
Fu Wa and Feng Yi, a 7-year-old panda duo will be coming to Malaysia this Chinese New Year 2014, as a symbolic gesture between Malaysia and China’s 40-year diplomatic tie. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and China’s former premier Wen Jiabao, have signed an agreement which includes these giant pandas.
Approximately RM25 million will be needed to build the pandas’ complex in Zoo Negara, of which will be funded by the 1Malaysia Development Bhd and the federal government.
According to Zoo Negara Deputy Director Dr Muhammad Danial Felix: “Fu Wa and Feng Yi will make Zoo Negara their home for the next 10 years and we are hoping for them to produce a baby panda in Malaysia. It will leave a significant mark on the zoo’s history.”
He also hopes that the number of visitors to Zoo Negara with the addition of Fu Wa and Feng Yi, will increase by one to two million people for the next few years.
Renovations of the pandas’ complex are 60% completed and experienced employees have been sent to China to learn about panda’s habitat, as well as the types of bamboos needed to be planted in order to feed them.
Internal temperatures of 22 to 24 degree Celsius are needed to keep the pandas comfortable and an environment that follows the pandas’ original home of Sichuan province in China that is built on a 0.6ha space in Zoo Negara. 3,000 bamboo trees are planted around the zoo to accommodate for the pandas’ diet in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation like Human and Nature Development Society (HANDS).
In September last year, 2 giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia, settled down in River Safari, Singapore. River Safari Assistant Curator, Halim Ali said that a training programme is important to establish a bond between zoo keepers and the pandas. He also added in regards to their diet of 30 kg of bamboo that was spread out to 5 feeding, the pandas also consume 400 g of carrots, 200 g of apples, and 1 kg of high-fibre biscuits daily.
We’re so excited for Fu Wa and Feng Yi’s visit, we’re calling their trip the Reign of the Pandas! Or the Reign of Cuddles. Whichever works!
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