River Wonders' giant pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai to extend their stay in Singapore till 2027

[DOBIEMKZ]

River Wonders' giant pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai to extend their stay in Singapore till 2027

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/river-wonders-giant-pandas-jia-jia-and-kai-kai-to-extend-their-stay-in-singapore-till-2027

Kai Kai and Jia Jia arrived in Singapore from China in 2012 under a 10-year loan from the Chinese authorities. PHOTO: WILDLIFE RESERVES SINGAPORE

Fatimah Mujibah

PUBLISHED 2 SEP 2022 11:00 AM

SINGAPORE - Visitors to River Wonders will be able to see giant pandas Jia Jia and Kai Kai for five more years until 2027. 

On Friday, the Mandai Wildlife Group, which operates River Wonders, signed a deal with the Chinese authorities to extend the 10-year loan of the pandas.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia, who will turn 15 and 14 this month, arrived in Singapore from China in 2012.

The pair gave birth to a cub, Le Le, on Aug 14 last year, after many attempts to conceive. 

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Sun Haiyan, vice-administrator of China’s National Forestry and Grassland Administration Li Chunliang, and other officials attended a ceremony on Friday at the Giant Panda Forest in River Wonders to extend Kai Kai and Jia Jia's loan deal with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA). 

In her address, Ms Low said: “Singapore-China relations continue to grow from strength to strength, and we are constantly exploring new possibilities for cooperation. 

“This extension agreement will enable Mandai Wildlife Group and CWCA to deepen their meaningful work on giant panda conservation, and is testament to the longstanding friendship between Singapore and China.”

Mandai Wildlife Group chief executive Mike Barclay, who was also at the event, said that the group is delighted to deepen its partnership with CWCA and continue to contribute to giant panda conservation efforts. 

He said: “We have journeyed with Kai Kai and Jia Jia for a decade, from when they first arrived to making their debut in the Giant Panda Forest exhibit to ensuring they are in good condition for each annual breeding season. We look forward to playing a part in their further growth and milestones.”

On Friday, the pandas celebrated their birthdays in advance.

Jia Jia, whose birthday is on Sept 3, and Kai Kai, who was born on Sept 14, were given a cake each.

Le Le, which turned one last month, shares the same enclosure as his mother, Jia Jia,  and appeared to be in high spirits as the crowd watched him play with a banner and take tumbles. Kai Kai played with his birthday decorations in his own enclosure next to theirs.

Under the loan agreement with CWCA, Le Le will return to China when he turns two.

Singapore has been working with China since 1994 on the research and conservation of giant pandas. The Republic is currently one of 10 countries that have giant pandas on loan from China.

Kai Kai and Jia Jia's arrival at Changi Airfreight Centre on Sept 6, 2012. PHOTO: JAMIE KOH

Kai Kai reaching out for a birthday treat on Sept 2, 2022. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

Jia Jia (left) and her cub, Le Le, in their enclosure on Sept 2, 2022. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

(From left) Mr Mike Barclay, group CEO of Mandai Wildlife Group; Ms Sun Haiyan, Chinese Ambassador to Singapore; Ms Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for Trade and Industry, at the signing ceremony on Sept 2, 2022. ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN

 

 

[Lala81]

PRC still favours us!

 

[Mkl22]

14 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

PRC still favours us!

 

I would say we are currently in their good books. 
but I would think most importantly, would be that  those in power remembered to watch their tongue after the APC confiscated in HK debacle. 

Edited September 2, 2022 by Mkl22

[mersaylee]

14 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

PRC still favours us!

 

In terms of the medical facilities...go back if they kena covid I tink they also donno to give ventilator or ginseng laced bamboo...😁

[mersaylee]

Lele asked if he would need to return to serve NS boh...? Maybe make more panda baby will be his NS...😁

[Jman888]

visa extended, maybe can apply for the new $30K work pass visa, oh their child was born here so must serve ns 

[DOBIEMKZ]

1 minute ago, mersaylee said:

Lele asked if he would need to return to serve NS boh...? Maybe make more panda baby will be his NS...😁

Then have to get him a mate to mate.😄

[Ender]

Have not visited them. Don't plan to even if they extend forever.

[13177]

25 minutes ago, Lala81 said:

PRC still favours us!

 

Our relationship with PRC deep deep lo.

[13177]

1 minute ago, Ender said:

Have not visited them. Don't plan to even if they extend forever.

Why le?

[Blueray]

my friend asking whether they are $30k/month ? 

[mersaylee]

5 minutes ago, DOBIEMKZ said:

Then have to get him a mate to mate.😄

Or he can bring along his own from China...i always advise those dink around me to try piak piak in another country...it had helped a few...✌️😁

[13177]

Extend another 5 years, so they can try for another 'lele' again?

[Ender]

Just now, 13177 said:

Why le?

Personally no interest lor. Children all grow big liao, zoo outing is not something they are excited about. Also expensive, no good food.

[DOBIEMKZ]

5 minutes ago, mersaylee said:

Or he can bring along his own from China...i always advise those dink around me to try piak piak in another country...it had helped a few...✌️😁

But Pandas are different though...
They only think of eating bamboos otherwise sleeping.😁
 

[mersaylee]

11 minutes ago, Ender said:

Personally no interest lor. Children all grow big liao, zoo outing is not something they are excited about. Also expensive, no good food.

I used rediscover vouchers to see the pandas...however, one attend C at sickbay...i tink it was at that time the first trimester of pregnancy...😂

[DOBIEMKZ]

24 minutes ago, 13177 said:

Extend another 5 years, so they can try for another 'lele' again?

The next one shall be named "Lala".😁

[13177]

20 minutes ago, Ender said:

Personally no interest lor. Children all grow big liao, zoo outing is not something they are excited about. Also expensive, no good food.

Go to such places no need say only can bring children go. Adults also can go there see look see look. But can only go there once very long time la. Since nothing much to see also, since animals still look same same. Last year i went to see this Panda for the first time cause i can use the rediscover voucher. Lol.