PETALING JAYA: Zoo Negara’s Giant Panda Conservation Centre (GPCC) will soon welcome visitors and enthusiasts once again now that the two new giant pandas from China have completed their quarantine, says Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister said he had inspected the upgraded GPCC facilities and saw the new pair of giant pandas, Chen Xing (male) and Xiao Yue (female), which arrived from China on Nov 18.
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"The giant panda pair has completed quarantine.
"In view of this, the Chinese authorities have agreed to allow the GPCC to be opened to the public.
"I will announce the opening date soon," he said in a statement on Thursday (Jan 8).
Chen Xing and Xiao Yue are part of the ongoing panda cooperation programme between Malaysia and China.
Upon arrival, the five-year-old pandas were placed under a mandatory one-month quarantine at Zoo Negara, in line with standard operating procedures.
During the visit, Arthur said he was satisfied with the improvements to the GPCC facilities to enhance the welfare of the giant pandas and the comfort of visitors.
"These upgrades include enhancements to the main exhibit, interior design, landscaping and the replacement of chillers, carried out using allocations provided by the ministry," he said.
He was also briefed on the pair's health by veterinarians from China and Zoo Negara.
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"During the visit, Chen Xing and Xiao Yue displayed normal and active behaviour, indicating a good level of adaptation.
"They are icons of the diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China," he added.
To date, China has undertaken international cooperation in giant panda conservation and research with 20 countries, including Malaysia.
The agreement between the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) of Peninsular Malaysia and the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) enables Malaysia to host a new pair of giant pandas for 10 years, until 2035.
Also present during Arthur's visit were his deputy Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh and ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Ching Thoo Kim, Perhilitan director-general Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim, as well as representatives of the Malaysian Zoological Society, which manages Zoo Negara.
