Markus S?der (right), Minister President of Bavaria, and Verena Dietl, Mayor of Munich and chair of the supervisory board of Hellabrunn Zoo, stand together with a stuffed panda before the start of a press conference at Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, on 21 January 2026. S?der has confirmed two giant pandas from China will move in Hellabrunn Zoo by 2028. Photo: VCG

In order to further advance giant panda conservation efforts, China and Germany signed a giant panda conservation cooperation agreement on Wednesday, under which two giant pandas from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will be sent to Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, Germany, for a 10-year joint research program, the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) announced on Wednesday.  

According to a statement released by the CWCA, in order to ensure that the two giant pandas live in good health at Hellabrunn Zoo, Chinese experts conducted multiple inspections and assessments. In accordance with the requirements and technical standards for international cooperation on giant panda conservation, they will guide the German side in building new panda enclosures, ensure a long-term and stable supply of bamboo, establish an experienced animal care and management team, and develop comprehensive husbandry systems and technical protocols, thereby completing all necessary technical preparations for the cooperation.

During the period of cooperation, China and Germany will strengthen regular health monitoring and on-site assessments and provide ongoing updates on the pandas’ living conditions to ensure their health and safety in Germany, according to the statement. 

According to the CWCA, the cooperation with Hellabrunn Zoo will deepen bilateral collaboration in panda conservation, breeding, disease control and staff exchanges, while supporting wild panda protection and the construction of giant panda national park, contributing to global biodiversity conservation and strengthening ties between the peoples of China and Germany. 

At present, Zoo Berlin has hosted giant pandas since 2017, when China sent giant panda couple Meng Meng and Jiao Qing for a 15-year stay, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. 

Meng Meng and Jiao Qing were also from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, according to Xinhua. 

On August 31, 2019, Meng Meng successfully gave birth to male twin cubs Meng Xiang and Meng Yuan, marking the first pair of Germany-born giant panda twins. In December 2023, the twin cubs returned to China, Xinhua reported. 

On August 22, 2024, Meng Meng gave birth to the second pair of female giant panda twins Meng Hao and Meng Tian. Zoo Berlin said that Meng Hao and Meng Tian would live in Berlin for two to four years before returning to China, Xinhua reported.

Global Times