Jai Jai & Kai Kai – Panda Spotlight

/ Post by Pandas International

On the morning of September 6, 2012, Giant Pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia arrived in Singapore after their 2000 mile flight from Chengdu Shuangliu Airport in China. Their arrival in Singapore had been much anticipated since it was announced in 2009 that the Zoo would be receiving two Pandas on loan from China to mark 20 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Upon arrival in Singapore, the two Giant Pandas were placed into a one month quarantine. On October 6, after they were given the all-clear, the Pandas were released into their new exhibit at the River Safari in Mandai, which is situated between the Singapore Zoo and the Night Safari. Their new 1500 square-meter home, the Giant Panda Forest, was designed to mimic their natural habitat with lush live plants, boulders, and water features. It is the largest exhibit in Southeast Asia.

The upcoming weeks will see River Safari’s zoology team, headed by Assistant Director of Zoology, Ang Cheng Chye, introducing Kai Kai and Jia Jia to their climate-controlled habitat in the Giant Panda Forest. The temperature is kept between 18-22 degrees Celsius year round and humidity is set at 50-60 per cent to ensure the Pandas’ comfort. The habitat’s specifications exceed those set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Keepers will be placing the bears’ favorite food – bamboo – in various locations in the exhibit to encourage them to explore their new surroundings. The bears’ duration in the new exhibit will be extended progressively to give them ample time to familiarize themselves with their surroundings and become comfortable in their new home.

Visitors can look forward to visiting Kai Kai and Jia Jia at the giant panda exhibit this December. Details of the opening of the Giant Panda Forest will be provided at a later stage.