Skip to content
News

UK's only giant pandas leave Edinburgh Zoo for China

Yang Guang and Tian Tian are heading homeon a Boeing 777 cargo plane

edinburgh zoo giant panda
Bea Mitchell
By Bea MitchellDec 04, 2023 1 min read
Bea Mitchell
Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 15 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.
See Full Bio

The UK's only giant pandas, Yang Guang and Tian Tian, have left Edinburgh Zoo for China at the end of their 12-year loan.

The 20-year-old pandas have been in Scotland since December 2011 as part of a 10-year loan agreement between the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, which was laterextended by two years.

Preparations to return Yang Guang and Tian Tian to the China Wildlife Conservation Association base at Chengdu in Sichuan province have been underway for years.

The giant pandas are making their way home on a Boeing 777 cargo plane operated by China Southern. They will travel in two bespoke metal crates, the BBC reports.

They will be accompanied on the 13-hour flight by a keeper from Edinburgh Zoo, an RZSS veterinarian, and a Chinese representative.

RZSS vet Stephanie Motasaid (via BBC): "During the flight I'm not expecting to have major challenges.

"Yang Guang and Tian Tian are healthy so my plan is to feed them plenty of bamboo throughout the flight.

"I will monitor them very closely of course and they will also have one of their favourite keepers with them so they should be happy."

Yang Guang and Tian Tian's return to Chengdu

Darren McGarry, head of living collections at RZSS, added: "There's a whole lot of logistics that have to happen."

Last month, RZSS chief executive David Field said: "With more than a million species at risk of extinction and our natural world in crisis, Yang Guang and TianTianhave had an incredible impact by inspiring millions of people to care about nature.

"That added interest in the panda’s departure this year has allowed us to connect many more people with the conservation causes that RZSS is actively involved with, and with nature more generally."

Images courtesy of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

animal welfarezoo designasiachinauk experiencebalppazoos
Zoo & aquariumNews
Bea Mitchell
Bea Mitchell
Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 15 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.
See Full Bio

Most recent

marineland canada
News
animal welfare

Marineland threatens to euthanise 30 beluga whales without funding

Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist, remembered by global zoo community
News
conservation

Jane Goodall, primatologist and conservationist, remembered by global zoo community

Dickerson Park Zoo recycling smart phones to support flamingo conservation
News
conservation

Dickerson Park Zoo recycling smart phones to support flamingo conservation

AZA Conference Icebreaker at Florida Aquarium
News
Sustainability

SSA & Florida Aquarium showcase sustainability at AZA Conference Icebreaker

More for you

paignton zoo

Paignton Zoo put on the market by owner, Wild Planet Trust

1 min read

Paignton Zoo owner Wild Planet Trust has confirmed that the 85-acre zoo, home to more than 2,000 animals, is on the market alongside 18 acres of adjacent land.

Via ITV News, Wild Planet Trust said in a statement it has "started to explore the possibility of securing investment", although no guide price has been released.

Keep ReadingShow less
Immotion EUAC banner

Immotion to showcase mission-aligned VR content at EUAC Conference 2025

2 min read

Immotion, a global leader in immersive edutainment, will be participating in the European Union of Aquarium Curators (EUAC) Conference 2025, which is being held in Istanbul from 6 to 10 October.

On 10 October at 9.20 am, Immotion CEO Rod Findley will lead a presentation with a session titled Educational Technology’s Role in the Future of Aquariums: Opportunity or Existential Threat?

Keep ReadingShow less
b50 zoo webinar reveal

blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List 2025 – webinar reveal

2 min read

Join blooloop and SSA Group on Thursday, 9 October at 3 pm BST to find out who has been named on the 2025 blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List.

Our natural world is increasingly under threat from pollution, habitat loss, the illegal wildlife trade, and the devastating effects of climate change.

SSA Logo

On the front lines of conservation and sustainability, zoos and aquariums work to protect endangered species and habitats and inspire the public to care about the environment.

The 2025 blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List recognises those who are making a significant impact and whose contribution is advancing the vital work of today’s outstanding zoos and aquariums.

In this free webinar, Ruth Read, director, blooloop, will be joined by David Rosenberg, executive vice president, SSA Ventures. They will announce the 2025 list, including our Power 10, and highlight the key trends it reveals.

Rosenberg says: "The attractions industry thrives because of bold, visionary leaders who continuously push the boundaries of guest experience, innovation, and impact.

"As an executive with SSA Ventures, I am proud to serve as a judge for this year’s blooloop 50 list, recognising those who are not only shaping the future of our industry but also inspiring the next generation to do the same."

David Rosenberg

Rosenberg is a renowned leader in global guest experience strategy and leads international expansion, innovation, and conservation initiatives at SSA Ventures.

David Rosenberg headshot scaled e1749721880692David Rosenberg, Vice President of Guest Experience

His experience includes executive roles at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Walt Disney World, and Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

He was formerly chairman of the IAAPA Global Board of Directors and was honoured with IAAPA’s Outstanding Service Award for his contributions to the international attractions industry.

Rosenberg has also served as chair of the AZA Aquarium Affairs Committee and as an accreditation inspector, furthering best practices in cultural and zoological organisations.

As a published author and international speaker, Rosenberg is regularly cited in prominent publications, such as Forbes, and continues to shape the future of visitor experience through thought leadership, innovation, and sector expertise.

Join us for the reveal

Be the first to see the 2025 blooloop 50 Zoo & Aquarium Influencer List by registering for the webinar now.

Register for free

here
Keep ReadingShow less
wcs coral reef
Image credit: Steve De Neef

Wildlife Conservation Society reveals plan to protect climate-resilient coral reefs

2 min read

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has launched a new strategy to conserve the world's most climate-resilient coral reefs.

Per a press release, coral reefs are biodiversity hotspots. They cover less than 1 percent of the ocean, but sustain more than 25 percent of marine species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Severn Lamb ShuttlePro XL

Severn Lamb adds three new electric road trams to eco-friendly transport offering

2 min read

Severn Lamb,a leader in the manufacture and supply of leisure, resort and amusement transport,has unveiled three new electric road trams: the Solar Shuttle, ShuttlePro XL, and 9000ST Series.

The new models extend the company's catalogue of eco-friendly passenger transport solutions, which enable operators to provide dependable, sustainable, and fun travel for visitors while minimising environmental impact.

Keep ReadingShow less