Visitors to the Panda House are taking pictures of "Ruyi" with their mobile phones with great interest. Photo by Han Xianyang/Guangming Images
Panda "Tintin". Photo by Han Xianyang/Guangming Images
【Special Attention】
Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to Russia from March 20 to 22 to embark on a journey of friendship, cooperation and peace. In Moscow, the Chinese giant pandas "Ruyi" and "Tintin" who came from their hometown of Sichuan to start their 15-year sojourn have been bringing the Chinese and Russian people closer together over the past four years. On the eve of "International Panda Day" on March 16, our reporter interviewed Svetlana Akulova, director of the Moscow Zoo, and listened to her tell anecdotes about "Ruyi" and "Tintin".
Become a popular star
At the beginning of the meeting, Akulova enthusiastically mentioned to reporters the opening ceremony of the Panda House in June 2019, "I am very excited to remember that day." She said Chinese colleagues trained the pandas in advance so that they could be present at their "posts" at that time. However, Moscow Mayor Sobyanin and zoo staff are still worried that the pandas will not cooperate, "even if the bamboo is put away, they may drag the bamboo elsewhere." This worry proved to be superfluous. "It was amazing that when we approached the fence with the two heads of state, they stayed in a place where they could be easily seen," Akulova said. ”
Under the careful nurturing of the Moscow Zoo, "Ruyi" and "Tintin" live comfortably and thrive. In 4 years, they have gained about 20 kilograms. "The breeders now fully grasp their temperament and characteristics, 'Ruyi' is a male, don't look big, but very kind, very fond of performing various tasks." Tintin' is a female, a bit moody, and you can never force her to do anything you don't want to do," says Akulova.
For 4 consecutive years, the Panda House has become the most popular venue of the Moscow Zoo for locals and visitors. Almost every weekday, it welcomes many tourists. "In Russia, only about 2 percent or even 1 percent of people have seen real pandas, and before that, they had basically only seen cartoon characters or photos," Akulova said. Even severe winter can't stop people's enthusiasm for watching. ”
In order to ensure the normal work and rest of the giant pandas, the zoo will adjust the number of visitors in batches and time limits according to the flow of visitors. There are multiple cameras in the panda hall, which can broadcast the daily life of the two giant pandas online. Usually, the cameras run day and night, and people can watch scenes such as feeding and training pandas on a special channel on the zoo's official website.
Akulova told reporters that due to the live broadcast in the panda hall, their work is now also "supervised" by panda lovers from China, Russia and other countries, such as the need to keep the venue clean and bamboo fully supplied. If there is a piece of paper on the ground, someone will leave a message, "Please take out the paper left by the visitor immediately." "We're trying to do better, and we've learned a lot in this way. During the severe coronavirus pandemic, employees were able to observe the situation inside the venue remotely while working from home. ”
Today, "Ruyi" and "Tintin" are already popular stars in the zoo. It was reported by mainstream Russian media such as TASS News Agency, RIA Novosti, Russia-24 TV Channel, Independent Television, REN TV, and "Newspaper" and "Moscow Evening News". At the same time, the giant pandas have also become one of the most popular topics on Russian social media. Russian influencers "Dream Team House" members Vasha Marusia and Vlad Levsky went to the zoo to broadcast live, further boosting their popularity.
Grew up under careful care
In order to make giant pandas better adapt to life in Russia, Moscow Zoo carefully provides comprehensive protection from all aspects such as diet and life.
According to the suggestions and technical requirements of Chinese experts, the original old panda pavilion has been renovated and upgraded. The humidity of the venue is controlled at 60%~70%, and it is equipped with bamboo fresh-keeping room, food preparation room, monitoring room, etc. Each of the two pandas has a "luxury suite" that is divided into indoor and outdoor with ponds, water feeders and different leisure toys inside and outside. "There are swings outside, and 'Tintin' likes to eat bamboo there," Akulova said. At present, the two pandas are being raised separately, and they can only communicate with each other "through the door". However, the zoo is actively preparing for "close contact" between the two pandas together with Chinese colleagues.
In order to enrich the lives of the two pandas, the zoo carefully designed different toys and planned many fun activities. On July 30, 2022, "Tintin" turned five years old, and on the 31st, "Ruyi" turned six. On the 31st, the zoo celebrated their birthday with bamboo cakes with berries and fruits and new toys. In addition, the zoo also presents Chinese lion dances, dragon dances and waist drum performances for them and visitors. In January 2023, the zoo celebrated the Chinese New Year specifically for pandas, and to evoke the panda's memories of the motherland, lanterns were hung around the fence and cardboard zodiac rabbits were hung on the Christmas tree.
Under the careful care of the garden, the two pandas grew up happily and healthily. The reporter saw that when the keeper finished the fresh bamboo, "Tintin" walked over slowly and began to enjoy the meal. "Ruyi" looks more naughty, one moment carrots, the other bamboo, change to enjoy. It's smart enough to close the door when walking from indoors to outside.
Experts from Moscow Zoo pay close attention to the condition of giant pandas, regularly collect various information and communicate with Chinese experts to cooperate in scientific research related to panda conservation, and ensure that the two pandas always maintain a good physical and mental state during their growth. Akulova told reporters: "Two giant pandas entered puberty this year. In accordance with the research protocol, we contact our Chinese colleagues every day and transmit relevant data such as temperature and diet. ”
"Ruyi" and "Tintin", who are full of love, are very competitive, and in January 2020, they won three awards for the zoo after more than half a year after coming to their new home. According to the voting results of 320,000 people from 60 countries, "Tintin" won the "Global International Award" for giant pandas (she ranked third among the most popular pandas outside China), "Gold Award in the Panda Activity of the Year category" and "Silver Award in the Panda Person of the Year category".
Witness the friendship between China and Russia
When the two giant pandas made their home at the Moscow Zoo in 2019, it coincided with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. President Xi Jinping said at the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia that the landing of giant pandas "Tintin" and "Ruyi" in the Moscow Zoo is believed to bring joy to the Russian people, especially children, and become another good story of friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples. On the same day, President Putin also said at a press conference: "When we talk about giant pandas, we always smile. China sent the 'national treasure' giant panda here, which will witness the further development of the friendship between our two countries. ”
Over the past four years, "Ruyi" and "Tintin", which are symbols of friendship between the two countries, have accumulated extraordinary popularity in Russia. In interviews, Russian people praised it for bringing Russia and China closer together. Lomanov, a well-known Russian expert on China, believes that the Chinese giant panda is a miracle of nature, and "people like giant pandas very much, and when they see it, they think of Russian-Chinese friendship."
Akulova said that China's "gift" of giant pandas to a country is not only a symbol of peace and friendship with the "recipient country", but also means mutual trust, and "we are very proud of the special role we play in maintaining friendly relations between Russia and China." She also shared the zoo's reasons for choosing young pandas: "We signed a scientific cooperation agreement with the Chinese side to study the growth process and habits of pandas. As it turned out, there was no mistake in the original choice. We got two of the best pandas and everyone loved them very much. Without a doubt, they are our big heroes! ”
Like many Russians, Akulova learned from the news that President Putin invited President Xi Jinping to pay a state visit to Russia, and "we are looking forward to this."
In March, the Moscow Zoo held a series of events. From the 7th to the 15th, the zoo invited the public to participate in the "Most Interesting Homemade Panda Costumes" online competition, and the top 5 participants had the opportunity to visit the zoo for free and see the giant pandas in person. A few days ago, on the occasion of International Panda Day, the zoo held an enlightenment event, inviting visitors to participate in the "Gifts for Panda" master class next to the fence of the Panda House, as well as lectures on the theme of "Diverse Bears", "Panda Neighbors" themed tours and origami workshops.
Akulova said that these events are a unique way for the zoo to express respect and gratitude, and let more Russians know about this pair of friendship messengers from China.
(Moscow, 18 March -- Han Xianyang, reporter of this newspaper in Moscow)