中國國務院副總理李克強訪問英國期間,中英兩國周一(1月10日)簽署「歷史性」協議,使一對大熊貓落戶愛丁堡的計劃得以落實。
這對正值育齡期的熊貓「甜甜」和「陽光」都在2003年出生。它們將是17年來第一對來英國定居的中國大熊貓。
根據協議,大熊貓將落戶愛丁堡動物園 (Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park ),由皇家蘇格蘭動物學會(The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland ) 監管。
中國向海外出租大熊貓已經成了外交手斷與商業行為 (寫真為REUTERS 路透社提供)
出席協議簽字儀式的包括英國副首相尼克·克萊格和來訪的中國國務院副總理李克強。
愛丁堡動物園的負責人說,這一協議的簽署非常重要,將大大提高動物園的吸引力。
2008年,愛丁堡動物園宣布正在與中國協商引進大熊貓的計劃。
該年5月,動物園還透露已經與中國簽署了引進大熊貓的意向書,稱大熊貓這一瀕危動物在愛丁堡落戶將有助動物保護研究。
愛丁堡動物園的未來新星
「甜甜」和「陽光」在愛丁堡動物園的「家」曾經是飼養大猩猩的場地,為迎接大熊貓經過特別的裝修。
愛丁堡動物園曾經的 Super-Star 大猩猩照片(引自www.edinburghzoo.org.uk 首頁)
皇家蘇格蘭動物學會主任研究員大偉・溫米尓還發表特別評論。
David Windmill, Chief Executive of (RZSS), said:
「Working with giant pandas means so much more to us than introducing a new species to our collection. It is an opportunity to work on a global level with other conservationists to gain a better understanding of the giant panda, the threats they face, and what we can do to ensure their survival.
We have been working on this for nearly a year and, having just returned from China, we are now in the position where we can publicly announce our intention to care for giant pandas. We hope to have giant pandas in Edinburgh Zoo in the near future. However, this will be a long process and there are still many details to be ironed out. We have received strong support from both UK and Scottish Governments for this initiative. It is essential this continues if we are to reach agreement with the Chinese.」
愛丁堡動物園 (Edinburgh Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park )更熱心地為即將「移民」來蘇格蘭的中國大熊貓甜甜and陽光製作了特別網頁!
http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/news-and-events/news/articles/news_0025.html