PETALING JAYA: The number of visitors to Zoo Negara has more than doubled since the arrival of the “cutest ambassadors” in 2014.
The giant pandas Xing Xing and Liang Liang have always been crowd-pullers as they are a rare species found only in China’s Sichuan and Shaanxi provinces.
Zoo Negara deputy president Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana said its visitors peaked in 2014, 2015 and 2016 when it recorded 80,000 to 100,000 people monthly.
“Crowds of fans, students and especially families with kids will take time off even on a workday to come and celebrate the birthdays of the pandas at the zoo.
“The number of visitors in 2014 and 2015 exceeded a million,” he told The Star.
The presence of the endangered giant pandas in the country has allowed Malaysians to see them up close, he said.
“We should be glad that Malaysia has been able to participate in the panda conservation project,” he said, adding that those who come to see the pandas include foreigners and Chinese nationals in Malaysia.
On June 15, 2012, the Malaysian and Chinese governments clinched a deal for two giant pandas, then named Fu Wa (male) and Feng Yi (female), to be loaned to Malaysia for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
On May 21, 2014, the adorable pair reached Malaysia and have since fulfilled their role in bringing the two countries closer.
Under the Giant Panda International Conservation Cooperation Agreement Programme, the pandas, which have been renamed Xing Xing (male) and Liang Liang (female), would be in Malaysia for 10 years.
Owing to their excellent bilateral ties throughout the decades, Rosly said Malaysia received a quick green light from China for the panda loan proposal.
“I understand that many countries had to go through years to get China’s approval to loan pandas,” he said.
The giant pandas are turning 17 this year and have given birth to three cubs – Nuan Nuan, born on Aug 18, 2015; Yi Yi (Jan 14, 2018); and Sheng Yi (May 30, 2021).
Since the agreement states that each giant panda cub born overseas is to be sent back to China when it reaches 24 months of age and is no more than four years old, Nuan Nuan was sent back in 2017.
Rosly previously said that panda cubs Yi Yi and Sheng Yi would be returned to China together after August.
Noting that the 10-year loan for Xing Xing and Liang Liang is set to end next year, he expressed Zoo Negara’s wish to get the loan spell extended for another five years.
“After the age of 22, the pandas will be returned to China, and the Malaysian government can only extend the lease for a maximum of five years.
Rosly takes pride in the fact that many have benefited from learning much about China’s iconic bears at the conservation centre within Zoo Negara in Ulu Klang, Selangor.
“It also helps Malaysians learn about their habitat and way of life while expanding their knowledge of the friendship between Malaysia and China,” he said.
He also said that Malaysia has a type of bamboo that Xing Xing and Liang Liang love chomping on, thus significantly reducing the food cost.
While bamboo leaves and shoots make up the bulk of their diet, the homegrown buluh betong, commonly known as giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper), found in Rembau, Negri Sembilan, stands out.
“We sent seven types of (Malaysian) bamboo to China to see which they favoured. The Chinese also wanted to ensure Malaysia has local bamboo to feed them.
“We are lucky to have our buluh betong grown in Kampung Kundur. We used to import bamboo, but now we go to Negri Sembilan to get it,” he said.
The conducive living environment at the centre and tender loving care provided by the Malaysian keepers and staff may have contributed to Xing Xing and Liang Liang’s fertility, said Rosly.
For an animal known for its low reproductive rates, the duo has brought immense delight to the zoo and indeed the country when they delivered three cubs in seven years.
Rosly said the keepers have been kept busy by the lovable panda family. “Every day, we look after their heart condition, food, appetite and teeth, and check their blood pressure to ensure they’re healthy,” he said.
He also recalled that Nuan Nuan’s birth had set a world record because its parents were the first pair to reproduce naturally within 15 months of captivity.
“Malaysia is among the two or three countries where the giant pandas loaned from China have reproduced successfully.
“We not only have one panda cub but three. The giant pandas on loan in Singapore only gave birth in their ninth year, but we had three baby in seven years and remarkably, they were born naturally!”.
