TAIPEI – The Taipei Zoo and Shanghai Zoo are moving forward with a planned animal exchange, with a pair of African penguins set to travel to Shanghai and a pair of red pandas destined for Taipei, officials confirmed yesterday.
The agreement, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed at the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum in December of last year, aims to enhance animal welfare and promote cross-strait cultural exchange. The exchange is currently pending completion of necessary veterinary protocols, including rabies vaccinations for the red pandas and avian flu vaccinations for the penguins.
Taipei Zoo director Ju Shiau-fen (朱孝芬) told the Taipei City Council that the red pandas are awaiting thier second rabies vaccination before being cleared for transport to Taiwan. concurrently, the zoo is working to confirm which avian flu vaccine is acceptable to the Shanghai Zoo for the penguins. “After quarantine procedures are complete on both sides, the two zoos would plan the exchange procedures for the beginning of next year, as weather conditions would be more suitable for transporting the animals,” Ju said.
Photo: CNA
Concerns about potential disruption to the exchange arose following the postponement of this yearS Taipei-Shanghai City Forum, originally scheduled for last month. Taipei City Councilor Chen You-cheng (陳宥丞) of the Taiwan People’s Party questioned whether the delay would impact the animal transfer. Chen also advised caution regarding the naming of the red pandas, urging the zoo to avoid names that could generate negative political reactions. Ju responded, stating the zoo would “take appropriate measures during the naming discussions.”
