The new addition to the Calgary Zoo’s Panda Passage habitat has been unveiled
Panda Passage, the $30 million state-of-the-art habitat that has been created for housing the Calgary Zoo’s newest residents, just got a brand new addition.
No, we, unfortunately, do not mean that a fifth panda will be joining Er Shun, Da Mao, Jia Panpan, and Jia Yueyue, as adorable as that would be. The Panda Passage habitat actually received a newly unveiled Moon Gate, which will welcome guests to the pandas’ home.
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According to a release from the Province of Alberta, the location of the gate was given much thought, with coordinators bringing in a feng shui expert to determine the gate angle and location that would be best for positive flow, or “chi.”
“The countdown to panda-mania is on,” said Minister of Culture and Tourism Ricardo Miranda, in the release.
“We expect Albertans and visitors alike will be excited to meet these furry, fun-loving bears and they are sure to enrich the visitor experience for everyone. The Calgary Zoo is world-renowned and once the Panda Passage opens, it will help increase tourism, create jobs, and contribute to a very important conservation program.”
The pandas arrived in Calgary from Toronto on March 26, and will be taking the month of April to properly acclimatize to their new habitat, handlers, and surroundings.
“We are so pleased to welcome Er Shun, Da Mao, Jia Panpan and Jia Yueyue to Calgary and to their new habitat, Panda Passage, for the next five years,” said Dr. Clement Lanthier, the president and CEO of the Calgary Zoo, in the release.
“They are wonderful ambassadors and will help us share with our community the importance of protecting species at risk, here in Canada and around the world.”
The new habitat opens to the public on Monday, May 7, and attendees will be able to purchase advance panda tickets to ensure that they’ll get a glimpse at the black and white bears.
Calgary Zoo Panda Passage
When: Opening May 7
Where: Calgary Zoo – 1300 Zoo Road Northeast, Calgary
Memberships: Sign up via Calgary Zoo
Tickets: $19.95 to $34.95