By Xinhua,
Guangzhou : Eight giant pandas, all of two years of age will leave their hometown in southwest China for Beijing next month to entertain tourists during the Olympic Games to be held in August.
The giant pandas, which belong to the Wolong-based China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre in Sichuan Province, are set to depart May 24 and arrive in the national capital after a three-hour flight, organisers of the programme announced Monday.
They will be on display at the Beijing Zoo until November, and are expected to attract more than six million tourists from home and abroad during the six-month show. The zoo has already begun to upgrade its facilities to accommodate the additional animals.
Pure water and fresh bamboo leaves will be prepared during the flight, and air conditioning will maintain a comfortable temperature for the bears, according to Guangdong-based China Southern Airlines.
To ensure the animals’ health and safety, Wolong will send around eight panda keepers, vets and technicians to help take care of them during their stay at Beijing.