The first giant panda to be born in the Netherlands, almost seven months old, made his public debut Friday at Ouwehands Zoo, after leaving maternity the day before.
The young male, named Fan Xing, was able to be admired for the first time by visitors to the animal park, so far temporarily closed due to measures related to the new coronavirus, on the occasion of its reopening.
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“
I think he's fine.
Mom is there, he feels safe so it's good,
”says José Kok, the zoological manager of the park in Rhenen, in the center of the Netherlands.
"
He started (by living) in the maternity ward for a few months then he gradually came out, he started to walk and now he is there, climbing, falling
", explains to AFP José Kok, who says he is very proud of the birth of the little panda.
Born on May 1, Fan Xing is the result of a natural conception by a couple of giant pandas on loan from China to the Netherlands in 2017.
PIROSCHKA VAN DE WOUW / AFP
Born on May 1, Fan Xing is the result of a natural conception by a couple of giant pandas loaned in 2017 by China to the Netherlands, for a period of 15 years.
His name, revealed at the end of October, is the result of “
Fan
”, an abbreviation referring to the Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh in Chinese, and “
”, which means “
star
”.
The cub will be able to stay in the Netherlands for four years, before being sent to China as part of an international breeding program.
He will then be "
the ambassador of the giant pandas in China, in nature, which need protection,
" says Ms. Kok.