Pit and Paule - Farewell: Panda brothers soon to leave Berlin Zoo
Just over four years after the sensational birth of the panda brothers Pit and Paule, the animals will be leaving Berlin Zoo next week. This weekend is the last time visitors will be able to pay the brothers a visit, zoo spokeswoman Philine Hachmeister told the German Press Agency.
"As soon as word got around that the 2nd Advent is Pit and Paule's last weekend in Berlin, the crowds at the Panda Garden visibly increased." On Thursday, many families with young children took the opportunity to say goodbye to the bear brothers in person. "Some international panda fans have also traveled here especially for them," said Hachmeister. Despite the low temperatures, the zoo is expecting larger crowds than usual at the weekend. The animals are best observed in the morning, when the windows are not yet so steamed up.
Special activities are planned for panda fans on Friday between 10 am and 3 pm. A panda mascot will be handing out souvenirs to guests, and there will also be panda muffins and vegan bamboo pancakes. Pit and Paule have already been in quarantine for some time for their departure to Chengdu in China - the exact date has not been publicly announced - and can only be seen in the indoor enclosure. The brothers will soon go their own ways, said Hachmeister - giant pandas are strict loners.
Pit and Paule were born at Berlin Zoo on August 31, 2019 and, according to the zoo, are the first and so far only giant pandas to be born in Germany. In addition to these nicknames, they also have the Chinese names Meng Xiang ("longed-for dream") and Meng Yuan ("fulfilled dream"). The successful mating between the parents Meng Meng and Jiao Qing was a minor sensation at the time - after all, pandas are considered to be sexually inactive. The departure of Pit and Paule had been planned for some time, but was delayed by the pandemic. Like their parents, the bears are the property of China.
The zoo hopes that Meng Meng and Jiao Qing will not be left alone for long after their two sons move out. Offspring are planned again, the institution recently announced. The mother panda could "theoretically" signal her readiness to conceive again in spring 2024. If everything goes perfectly, the Berlin Zoo could have another panda offspring in the summer.
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- Visitors from China have joined the crowds at Berlin Zoo this weekend, as they know that it's Pit and Paule's last weekend in Berlin before they leave for Chengdu.
- The Berlin Zoo, where Pit and Paule have spent their entire life, will soon lose two of its most popular attractions, the panda bears, who are leaving Germany for China.
- The German Press Agency reported that the Chinese panda bears, Pit and Paule, who were born at Berlin Zoo in 2019, will be leaving Berlin Zoo and traveling to China's Chengdu, marked by their departure on the news this week.
- Despite the chilly weather, the Berlin Zoo is expecting larger crowds than usual this weekend, as it marks the final weekend for the lovable panda brothers, Pit and Paule, who will soon be leaving Berlin Zoo for their new home in Chengdu, China.
- Besides being a major event in Berlin, Pit and Paule's departure from Berlin Zoo is also a significant event for China, as they are the first and only giant pandas to be born in Germany and are now returning to their home country.
Source: www.stern.de
