Copenhagen Zoo's CCTV caught footage of Xing Er, a seven-year-old giant panda, roaming in the garden area after escaping from his new panda house. Video footage showed the panda climbing up a metal pole then navigating his way around three electrical wires before crawling out into open land and was spotted by a janitor.
Xing Er, who had escaped from his house before when the zoo was unopened, was soon cornered by staff and sedated with a tranquilizer dart, yet the staff assured he was unharmed. Bengt Holst, the zoo's spokesman, said that they will be changing security protocols to ensure that the panda will not repeat the escape stunt.
The Panda House is also home to Mao Sun, a female giant panda. Xing Er and Mao Sun were both gifts to Queen Margrethe after her visit to China in 2014. Their $27 million panda house resembles the yin-yang symbol, separating the male and female bear until it is mating season.
Beijing lends out pandas for 15 years to other countries as a sign of goodwill, and cubs born during this period are considered Chinese property. The Copenhagen Zoo was scheduled to reopen this week but was able to open late May with updated government regulations.
Baby Panda
Nearby in the Netherlands, the Ouwehands Zoo, in the city of Rhenen recently released footage of a squealing newborn panda cub being cradled by its mother, Wu Wen. Remaining nameless and with unknown gender, the cub was born on May 1st, International Labor Day.
Since tiny cubs usually die within the first ten days, the zoo employees waited anxiously until the critical period had safely passed earlier this week. 'More than a week later, the young [panda] has grown visibly,' said the zoo staff. 'Not only in length but also in weight. The well-filled belly is noticeable, and gentle coloring is also visible. The relatively long tail of the panda cub is also striking!' Although the cub is China's property, it will remain at Ouwehands for four years before leaving the Netherlands.
Going Back Home
Under unfortunate circumstances, panda couple Er Shaun and Da Mao from Calgary Zoo will be heading home after spending seven years in Canada, making the 10-year loan shorter than expected. With the pandemic canceling all flights to and from China, their supply of fresh bamboo was also cut since their food doesn't naturally grow in Canada.
Er Shun and Da Mao had been parents to twin cubs, the first pandas to be born in Canada, which had been sent to China in January. Calgary Zoo tried their best to find alternative supplies which only resulted in 'misdirected shipments, slower-than-acceptable delivery times causing some poor-quality bamboo that the giant pandas won't eat and concern with limited supplies.'
Clemente Lantheir, the zoo's spokesperson, shared that the best and safest place for the couple during these difficult times is where bamboo grows abundantly. 'This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but the health and well-being of the animals we love and care for always come first.'
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