Pandas Feng Yi and Fu Wa coming to Malaysia six months ahead of schedule

KUALA LUMPUR: The two giant pandas from China will be brought to Zoo Negara in Malaysia as early as December this year, six months ahead of schedule.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Uggah Embas said he was confident that the exhibition centre for the pandas at the zoo would be completed in time.

"Three species of bamboo have been sent to China for testing to see if they are suitable to be used to feed the pandas," he said after launching the centre's construction site at Zoo Negara here.

Multi Spex Architects director Zulkhairi Md Zain said the centre would have enough space to house a baby panda should the pair produce a cub.

"If the baby panda reaches two years of age, it will be handed over to the Chinese government, as agreed," he said.

Multi Spex Architects is the zoo designer for the panda conservation and exhibition centre.

Last June, the Malaysian and Chinese governments clinched a deal for two panda cubs Feng Yi (female) and Fu Wa (male) to be loaned to the country for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations in 2014.