Feng Yi, Fu Wa 'doing well' at new home in Zoo Negara
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AMPANG: The two giant pandas that arrived from China on Wednesday are doing well and slowly adjusting to their new home at Zoo Negara.
"I went to see the pandas just now, they seem to be doing well," said Zoo Negara's deputy president Rosly Rahmat Ahmat Lana.
"I went to see the pandas just now, they seem to be doing well," said Zoo Negara's deputy president Rosly Rahmat Ahmat Lana.
"The male was quite tired and the female was active. But after the male panda was given bamboo shoots, he became quite active. Maybe he was just a bit hungry," Rosly said.
However, Rosly said when the pandas ventured out of the transportation carriers for the first time, they seemed "a bit shocked" at their new surroundings.
"But I think they are quite happy with the place so far," he added.
The pandas are also in good health, according to the results of the veterinarian.
"The medical check-up was done in China before they left, which showed the pandas in good health. But we haven't conducted another medical check-up here yet. The vet from China and the vet from Malaysia will probably do the medical check in the next few days," said Rosly.
Feng Yi at Zoo Negara.
"They are being monitored through CCTV 24 hours a day to study their behaviour and to ensure that they are doing okay," he said.
When asked when would the pandas be allowed into the 1.6ha panda complex, Rosly said they would be able to explore the area in the next few days.
"They will be in the quarantine area (the den) for one month, but in the mornings, they will be let out into the enclosure area to have their morning walk, and get familiar with the area," said Rosly.
However, Rosly said the pandas would not be allowed out of their den today (Wednesday) because they're still jet-lagged and adjusting to their new environment.
"But their den is big enough for them to walk about," he added.
Visitors can have an up-close-and-personal experience with Fu Wa and Feng Yi in a months’ time when Zoo Negara's Giant Panda Conservation and Exhibition Centre is opened to the public.
"Visitors can expect to see the two pandas in person where they can observe their behaviour and mannerisms," said Rosly.
"The panda centre has a very unique design where visitors and the pandas are in one room. This open concept enables visitors to feel the coldness of the air inside the enclosure and experience the panda's natural habitat," he said.
Fu Wa and Feng Yi arrived at their new home in Zoo Negara at around 10am Wednesday. The pair arrived at the MASKargo Complex at KLIA at 8am following an overnight flight from Chengdu, China.
The 1.6ha panda complex has enclosures with steep terrain, wooden playgrounds and ice blocks that mimic their natural environment.
Visitors who want to enter the enclosure will have to pay RM10 for children and RM20 for adults.
The pandas' new names are set to be announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the grand opening of the enclosure at the end of June, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G. Palanivel had said.
On June 15, 2012, the Malaysian and Chinese governments signed a deal for Feng Yi and Fu Wa to be loaned to Malaysia for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries this year.
Published: Wednesday May 21, 2014 MYT 12:00:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday May 21, 2014 MYT 7:59:19 AM
Updated: Wednesday May 21, 2014 MYT 7:59:19 AM
‘Mum’ thrilled to have Feng Yi staying in Malaysia
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CHENGDU: When female panda Feng Yi touches down in Malaysia, there will be a familiar face waiting for her among the excited crowd.
Chin Chet Mooi, 55, has been “adopting” the panda since September 2006 via a Colorado-based non-profit organisation, Pandas International.
“I am excited that Feng Yi is coming to Malaysia. I am happy that she will be nearer (to me). Isn’t she gorgeous?” gushed Chin as she watched the panda at the Dujiangyan panda base here in Sichuan province.
Chin, who cites her occupation as a freelance proof editor, arrived at Dujiangyan a day before the eight-year-old Feng Yi, along with her male companion Fu Wa, were scheduled to depart for their new home in Zoo Negara.
She left Sichuan last night, slightly ahead of the pandas’ departure, to wait at the MASKargo complex to welcome the animals.
Chin said she signed up to be a Zoo Negara volunteer when she found out that the pandas would be housed in a special enclosure there.
“It would be overkill to say I will be visiting the pandas every day but it will (definitely) be every weekend.
“I don’t know yet what I will be assigned to do as a volunteer, but I hope I will be able to help out in the giant panda exhibit – helping visitors, answering questions – and do my part in supporting this loan agreement in a positive way,” she said.
Like any proud parent, Chin’s face lit up at the mention of Feng Yi and she was more than happy to show photos and videos of the panda on her tablet device.
She was also heard calling out to Feng Yi in the enclosure, where the animal had been quarantined since relocating from the China Conservation and Research Centre for the Giant Panda in Ya’an in February, to “come closer and take a photo with Mum”.
Chin said she was looking forward to Feng Yi giving birth to a panda cub in Malaysia.
“Feng Yi surprised many when she delivered a male cub in August last year. She has a strong mothering instinct and the panda base gave her another female cub to look after,” she said.
Besides Feng Yi, Chin has “adopted” another female panda, Gong Zhu, and Feng Yi’s cub, Gong Gong.
Participants in the shared adoption programme pay US$1,000 (RM3,200) for new adoptions and US$800 (RM2,560) for renewals.
The contribution covers the cost of veterinary care, medicine and vitamins, daily meals of the pandas and the caretakers at the panda bases.
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