KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 24 — The number of visitors to the National Zoo has increased by about 10 per cent to 13,200 since the panda cub that was born to giant pandas Xing Xing and Liang Liang made her public appearance on November 17.
National Zoo deputy president Rosly Ahmat Lana said the number of visitors to the zoo until Nov 24 was 12,000, and in less than a month the number of visitors rose by 1,200.
The cub, born on Aug 18, has lured visitors to the zoo, especially during school holidays, although the capital city is experiencing uncertain weather conditions, he told Bernama, here.
“The giant panda cub will be exhibited to the public for an hour from 2.30pm and thus far has been able to adapt to the conditions,” he said adding that the yet to be named cub weighed eight kilogrammes and was in good health but her development would continue to be monitored.
Rosly said following an increase in the number of visitors, the National Zoo plans to extend the viewing period based on the situation’s suitability and cub’s condition.
The panda cub will be sent back to China after two years while its parents will stay on for 10 years under the agreement between Malaysia and China.
Xing Xing and Liang Liang arrived here from Beijing on May 21 last year as a symbol of 40 years of diplomatic relations between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
Meanwhile, the competition organised by the Natural Resource and Environment Ministry to name the giant panda cub, which ended on Dec 17, has received 22,830 entries.
The result of the online competition is expected to be announced by February in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at the zoo. — Bernama
