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Post-Election 2008: Pandas' long wait could be over soon

Pandas lie on a platform at a zoo in Sichuang Province, China, in this undated picture taken by Leofoo Village amusement park staff. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE LEOFOO VILLAGE AMUSEMENT PARK

The two pandas that were offered to Taiwan by China in 2005 could finally make it to their planned new home if approved by the Taipei High Administrative Court, the Council of Agriculture said yesterday.

The two pandas, named Tuan-tuan (團團) and Yuan-yuan (圓圓) ("to reunite"), were offered to Taiwan in 2005 to mark former Chinese National Party (KMT) chairman Lien Chan's (連戰) landmark visit to Beijing.

Since then, Beijing has repeatedly accused President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) of rejecting the animals for political purposes.

Talks on whether Taiwan would accept the pandas reopened on Sunday after president-elect Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) expressed his wish during an international press conference for the pandas to come to Taiwan.

However, the council said yesterday that the issue was now in the hands of Taipei High Administrative Court.

In October and November 2005, the Taipei City Zoo and the Leofoo Wild Animal Park in Hsinchu County both applied to the council for permits to receive the pandas, Forestry Bureau Deputy Director-General Lee Tao-sheng (李桃生) said.

A committee was formed to review the applications, but in accordance with international norms to protect wildlife and keep animals in their natural habitats, the committee turned both down, he said.

The fact that neither zoo could provide a sound environment for the pandas and lacked medical personnel for the animals played a part in the decision, he said.

In addition, according to the Wildlife Conservation Law (野生動物保育法), the pandas would be imported for educational and research purposes, but both zoos failed to provide concrete plans to foster wildlife conservation education, he said.

The Taipei City Zoo then filed a lawsuit with the Taipei High Administrative Court against the council appealing the decision, Lee said, adding that the council would not comment on the matter until after a decision has been made on Thursday.

After Ma said he would be pleased to see the pandas come to Taiwan, Chinese-language media began speculating that the pandas would make it over to Taiwan under the new government and would most likely be placed in the Taipei City Zoo, since Ma had been in favor of the animals entering Taiwan during his term as Taipei mayor from 1998 to 2006.

In response, the zoo yesterday said it would welcome the pandas. It began construction on a panda exhibition hall in 2005.

"We cannot say when the pandas will arrive, since the matter must follow regulations and procedures," said research officer Chin Shih-chien (金仕謙), who doubles as the zoo's spokesperson.

"The hall will be completed in June while the training of veterinarians, nutritionist and conservation education guides will be completed by November," Chin said.
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