Photos: Germany-born pandas celebrate their 4th birthday ahead of expected trip to China

Pit and Paule have been a star attraction at the zoo since their birth in 2019

Published: August 31, 2023 14:50 Compiled by Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from AP

1 of 10

Berlin: The first giant pandas born in Germany celebrated their fourth birthday Thursday as the Berlin Zoo prepares to send them to China, a journey that was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 10

Pit and Paule, who also are known by the Chinese names Meng Xiang und Meng Yuan, have been a star attraction at the zoo since their birth in 2019. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 10

On Thursday, keepers presented them with an ice cake made with apples, carrots and beetroot, and a side serving of snow. Image Credit: AFP

4 of 10

While China for decades gifted friendly nations with its unofficial mascot as part of a policy of “panda diplomacy,″ the country now loans pandas to zoos on commercial terms. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 10

Pit and Paule's parents, Jiao Qing and Meng Meng, arrived in Berlin in 2017. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 10

Florian Sicks, the zoo's curator for mammals, said the young pandas belong to China and its Chengdu Panda Base, and officials hope the pair will travel there soon. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 10

“As a rule, this happens at age 2 or 3,” Sicks said. “Because of the pandemic, it was delayed a bit so that they are now celebrating their fourth birthday here, which we of course are very, very happy about. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 10

But at the moment, we assume that this will probably be the last birthday the two of them will celebrate here in Berlin.” Image Credit: AFP

9 of 10

Giant pandas have difficulty breeding and births are particularly welcomed. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 10

There are about 1,800 pandas living in the wild in China and a few hundred in captivity worldwide. Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Photos: Germany-born pandas celebrate their 4th birthday ahead of expected trip to China

More From Photos

COP29 ends with deal on climate finance after bitter fight

UAE's Foreign Ministry says closely monitoring case of missing Moldovan citizen

Storms bring chaos to Ireland, France, UK

Harshita Brella murder: Indian man in UK kills wife over suspected dowry demand

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Photos: Germany-born pandas celebrate their 4th birthday ahead of expected trip to China

More From Photos

COP29 ends with deal on climate finance after bitter fight

UAE's Foreign Ministry says closely monitoring case of missing Moldovan citizen

Storms bring chaos to Ireland, France, UK

Harshita Brella murder: Indian man in UK kills wife over suspected dowry demand

GULFNEWS SECTIONS