Time is running out for people to see the only giant pandas in the UK as preparations are made for them to leave Edinburgh Zoo and return to China.

Yang Guang and Tian Tian’s enclosure will be shut off from 30 November as officials ready the pair for their long journey home in early December.

The pandas, arrived in Scotland in December 2011 as part of a 10-year agreement between Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, which was later extended by two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite efforts at breeding, female Tian Tian, whose name means Sweetie, has not produced a cub during her time in Edinburgh with Yang Guang, whose name means Sunshine.

RZSS chief executive David Field said: “With more than a million species at risk of extinction and our natural world in crisis, Yang Guang and Tian Tian have had an incredible impact by inspiring millions of people to care about nature.

“That added interest in the pandas’ departure this year has allowed us to connect many more people with the conservation causes that RZSS is actively involved with, and with nature more generally.”

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He added: “Through scientific research by our expert veterinary and keeper teams, working alongside the University of Edinburgh, we have made a significant contribution to our understanding around giant panda fertility, husbandry, and veterinary care – which has been of real benefit to efforts to protect this amazing species in China.

“It is encouraging that in recent years the outlook for giant pandas in the wild has improved, which gives real hope for the future.”

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