Information Bureau

Release Date:2006-01-06

Chinese Pandas are expected to arrive in Taiwan soon. Taichung City Government, through a non-governmental foundation it helped establish, will actively apply for the import of pandas to the city. Observing Article 26 of the Wild Animal Protection Law, the city government has assisted the foundation in applying for an authorization from Mainland China, to obtain a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITIES) certificate. The foundation will also fill its panda import application with the Council of Agriculture in February.

Taichung's Deputy Mayor Hsiao Jia Qi said, so far those having expressed an interest in the pandas include Taipei City Zoo, Hsinchu's Leofoo Village Theme Park, and Taichung's Dakeng Forest Recreation Area. Taichung's Dakeng will build a Panda House, which is a themed house built especially for the pandas. Since there will not be any other animals in the mix, it is beneficial to the conservation and restoration of the pandas. Another special feature of this plan is the unique environment of the Dakeng Forest Recreation Area; it is ecologically similar to Sichuan, which is the optimal environment for the pandas.

Furthermore, the foundation is in charge of raising the funds necessary to build the Panda House. Therefore, the plan will not become a burden to the city's finances. In sum, there is a good chance that Taichung will get the pandas. The city government is optimistic of the outcome, and will seek the professional assistance of experts in ensuring the well-being of the pandas.