San Diego Zoo Unveils New Panda Ridge Exhibit

The San Diego Zoo unveiled its new Panda Ridge exhibit, featuring two giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, marking the first arrival of giant pandas in the U.S. in 21 years. The pandas, who arrived from China in June, were showcased in a grand ceremony attended by California Governor Gavin Newsom, who declared August 8 as California Panda Day. The event symbolizes a revival of 'panda diplomacy,' reflecting a renewed cooperation between the U.S. and China following a period of strained relations. The pandas' new habitat is significantly larger and designed to mimic their natural environment in China. Panda diplomacy has historically been a gesture of goodwill between nations, with China loaning pandas to zoos worldwide to promote conservation and international relations.