Pandas To Make Public Debut Aug. 8 At San Diego Zoo

SAN DIEGO, CA — A pair of giant pandas will soon make their public debut after settling into their new home at the San Diego Zoo.

Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, the first pandas to enter the U.S. in 21 years, will be available for public viewing beginning Aug. 8, the zoo announced Friday.

"We are delighted to introduce Yun Chuan (pronounced yoon chu-ahn) and Xin Bao (pronounced sin bao) to our San Diego Zoo community," said Paul Baribault, president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "Our newest residents will bring joy to our visitors and symbolize the enduring spirit of international conservation efforts. Together with our partners, we continue to make significant strides in ensuring a hopeful future for this iconic species."

The duo arrived safely in San Diego from China on June 27.

Since then, they have acclimated to their home in the newly reimagined Panda Ridge. The space is four times larger than the zoo's previous panda habitat and is inspired by geological formations in China, according to the zoo. The habitat features new shade trees for climbing, a diverse array of plants, and rolling hillsides that allow Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to navigate and explore vertically.

Yun Chuan, a 4-year-old male, is identifiable by his long, pointy nose.

He was already connected to the San Diego Zoo. In 2007, his mother, Zhen Zhen, was the fourth cub born at the zoo. His name is a nod to his grandmother, Bai Yun, who lived at the zoo for 23 years.

Xin Bao, a 3-year-old female, is best recognized by her round face and big, fluffy ears. Her name means "precious treasure of prosperity and abundance."

The San Diego Zoo is offering three ways for visitors to see the pandas. Visitors can either obtain a complimentary giant panda timed ticket or join the standby line on the day of their visit. Additionally, visitors can make reservations for a 60-minute Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour.