On the evening of Monday, February 21, 2011, two Giant Panda arrived safely at Ueno Zoo from China, as scheduled (the announcement of their arrival can be found here ↓).

·news" Giant Panda will arrive at the zoo on February 21st! (Public viewing date is yet to be determined.)"

The two cubs came from the Bifengxia Base (Ya'an, Sichuan Province) of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center. The male was born in August 2005 and the female in July 2005 at the Wolong Conservation Center in Sichuan Province. They are both of breeding age.

On February 20th, we departed from Bifengxia Base and traveled by car to Chengdu. The truck carrying the transport boxes drove with a portion of its rear door open for ventilation. The following day, February 21st, we were transported by plane from Chengdu to Shanghai, and after a short rest in Shanghai, we safely traveled from Shanghai Airport to Narita Airport.

The flight to Japan was on a specially painted aircraft featuring Giant Panda design. The captain announced on board that "two Giant Panda, who are visiting Ueno Zoological Gardens for the first time in three years, are also flying with us."

They arrived in Narita at around 8:50 p.m., and were reportedly greeted at the airport by ANA staff in Giant Panda costumes. Since departing from Bifengxia Base, the two pandas have been observed regularly, and their health has been checked.

After that, they headed straight to Ueno Zoo by truck. The temperature inside the truck was controlled to maintain a constant 10℃, and cameras for monitoring were installed inside. The truck entered through the "Former Mail Gate," which is usually closed. Nearly 200 members of the press were waiting, and the truck arrived at around 11:40 p.m. on the 21st. Outside the gate, there were also people gathered, showing interest in the arrival of Giant Panda.

At the press conference, director Teruyuki Komiya spoke about the conservation of the rare Giant Panda and expressed his desire to breed them. Veterinarian Hara Itsuko, who accompanied the transport, explained that the male seemed a little restless upon arrival, but the female, who has a "calm personality," was doing well.

・Please see the video of the arrival here.
　Windows Media format　QuickTime format

Anyway, we're relieved that it arrived safely. First, we'll let it rest, then we'll check its health and let it get used to its new environment, and we plan to open it to the public in late March. Please wait a little longer until then!

The photos are from top to bottom:
・Os (Ya'an Bifengxia Base, Sichuan Province)
・Mess (Ya'an Bifengxia Base, Sichuan Province)
- Before departing from Hekifengxia Base
Arrived at Narita Airport
- Arrived at Ueno Zoo (Former Mail Gate)
- Press conference (in front of a Thai-style building)

(February 22, 2011)