On November 1, it was reported by the China Wildlife Conservation Association that the giant panda cub “Tianbao” (male, born June 2, 2016) and twin cubs “Baodi” (male, born August 8, 2019) and “Baomei” (female, born August 8, 2019), currently in Belgium, will be repatriated to China in mid-December this year (How Do Overseas Giant Pandas Return to China?).
According to the cooperation agreement between China and Belgium regarding panda conservation research, and following friendly negotiations between the two sides, the three cubs will return to China in mid-December. The two parties will maintain communication and cooperation to ensure proper management and preparations for the return of the three cubs.
In February 2014, China and Belgium launched a giant panda conservation research cooperation project, sending pandas “Xinghui” and “Haohao” from Sichuan to Belgium, where they settled in the Paradise Zoo. In June 2016, “Haohao” gave birth to the male cub “Tianbao.” In August 2019, “Haohao” gave birth to the twins “Baodi” and “Baomei.”
During this cooperation, both sides achieved fruitful results in panda conservation breeding, scientific research, technology exchange, public education, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the people of China and Belgium. The births of the panda cubs “Tianbao,” “Baodi,” and “Baomei” especially brought joy to the Belgian public.
According to previous reports, the parents of the three pandas, “Xinghui” and “Haohao,” will remain at Paradise Zoo, while the three returning pandas will reside at the Ya’an Bifengxia Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation Research Center.