Two breeding Giant Pandas have safely arrived at Edinburgh Zoo yesterday from China on board Fed Ex's specially-decaled Boeing 777F
Two Giant breeding Pandas have arrived safely at Edinburgh Zoo yesterday after making the 5,000 mile journey on a specially chartered flight from China.
FedEx Express said the duo enjoyed their flight and inflight meals of bamboo, apples, carrots, a special panda cake and mineral water, reported the BBC.
Edinburgh will now be one of eight zoos in the Western hemisphere to look after these enigmatic and endangered species.
The Giant Pandas named Tian Tian and Yang Guang, meaning Sweetie and Sunshine, are eight years old and come from the Giant Panda Conservation and research centre in Ya'an, Sichuan Province.
These beautiful creatures are the first Giant Pandas to arrive in Britain for 17 years.
It has taken more than 5 years for Edinburgh Zoo to negotiate this deal with the China reserve centre.
Edinburgh Zoo have been given permission to rent the two Pandas for a maximum of ten years at a staggering £650,000 per year, it is hoped the pair will eventually breed with each other.
The Pandas have now been made comfortable in their new £250,000 home at Edinburgh Zoo in Scotland.
The public will be able to see the Giant Pandas from 16 December, but following the intense media coverage it is expected that the zoo will be limiting each viewing session, booking is free but essential.
For more information on how to book, Edinburgh Zoo's opening times and prices go to www.britevents.com.
Edinburgh Zoo currently receive about 80,000 visitors every year, they have estimated that following the arrival of the Giant Pandas this figure is set to double.
The Zoo has been criticised by Animal Welfare campaigners for sealing this deal, saying that it is a 'primarily commercial deal'.
Although officials are hoping for a boost in tourism and the Scottish economy, they have said that this has helped with the growing friendship between Scotland and China.
With the rental cost for the duo at £650,000 per year, the cost of their enclosure at £250,000 and the 18 metric tonnes of bamboo needed to feed them costing £70,000 a year, one can only hope that we hear the pitter patter of tiny Giant Panda feet very soon.
Watch the fantastic reception the Giant Pandas receive when they touch down in Scotland
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