On afternoon of the December 18, 2010 as gifts to Macau from the Central Government, pandas Kai Kai and Xin Xin arrived in Macau via a special flight. The handover ceremony was held at the Macau International airport.
Mrs. Chen Limin, head of Macau Administration & Law Bureau said that the gifts from the central government showed their concern for Macau and deep friendship from the people in Mainland China. The gifts provide happiness to Macau. The government of Macau and the citizens appreciate it very much.
Yin Hong, the deputy director general of the State Forestry Bureau, said Kai Kai and Xin Xin are the first pandas to move to Macau. She hoped this would help enhance collaborations between the Mainland and Macau. She also wished Kai Kai and Xin Xin all the best in their new home.
After the handover ceremony was finished, the giant pandas were moved to the giant panda house at Seac Pai Van Park by special car, and escorted by the Macau police.
Yang Zhi, a veterinarian from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding who came with the pandas, said Kai Kai and Xin Xin are doing well based on their responses during transport by the special plane and car.
He also said the giant pandas would have a quarantine period for one month. During this time, experts would observe them. If the two pandas adapt to their new life, they would meet the public one month later.
It was heard that the choice of bamboo species will be reduced after they are living in Macau. D.latiflorus Munro (bamboo) from Guangdong will become the main food for them. When they were living in Chengdu, Macau already provided some of the bamboo to the Chengdu Panda Base to help the pandas adapt to the new bamboo.
In order to help Kai Kai and Xin Xin adapt to their new life in Macau faster, a vet and two keepers will stay in Macau for 6 months to help the local staff care for the animals, then the team in Macau will take over.
On Nov. 19th, 2009, president Hu Jintao announced the 2 pandas would moved to Macau as gift. On the May 29th, 2010, the State Forestry Bureau decided the pair of pandas (pedigree numbers 717 and 710) would come from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The two were named Kai Kai and Xin Xin with the most votes in the name selection event.
