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Giant pandas touch down in Scotland

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Bagpipes and cheers greet Tian Tian and Yang Guang, the first pandas to live in UK for 17 years
Tian Tian and Yang Guang fly in from China Press Association

Two giant pandas – the first to live in the UK for 17 years – arrived in Scotland on Sunday. Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived at Edinburgh airport at 1pm on a chartered nonstop flight from China.

The eight-year-old breeding pair are destined for Edinburgh Zoo, which will be their home for the next 10 years. Tian Tian, the female, whose name means sweetie, and Yang Guang, meaning sunlight, travelled from China on board a Boeing 777F flight dubbed the FedEx Panda Express, with a vet and two animal handlers.

Four pilots with "extensive experience" in transporting some of the world's most precious cargo, including white rhinos and penguins, were on the flight. "I am delighted to confirm that the FedEx Panda Express has safely touched down at Edinburgh International Airport," said Captain Paul Cassell.

"It was an absolute privilege and honour to fly Tian Tian and Yang Guang, and to be part of this significant moment to bring the pandas to their new home in the UK. Although every flight is unique, this flight has been particularly special – carrying such rare animals made the journey very exciting for all of us."

The animals, who were given an in-flight meal of bamboo, apples, carrots and a special "panda cake", were greeted at the airport by a large media presence.

The company said months of preparation and planning had made the journey possible. Their arrival also marks the culmination of a five-year effort to bring the giant pandas to Scotland.

They will now have two weeks to settle into their new enclosure before going on display to the public. It is hoped that the pandas will eventually have cubs.

The Scottish government and tourism officials hope the animals' presence will boost the economy and visitor numbers.

Scottish ministers said the loan of the pandas symbolises a "growing friendship" between Scotland and China. First minister Alex Salmond is in China.

Animal welfare campaigners have criticised the move, suggesting it has more to do with commercial deals and was not a credible way to go about saving the endangered species.

Sweetie and Sunlight were born in 2003 and lived at the Ya'an reserve in Chengdu, China. While in Edinburgh, they will be in the care of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.

Online footage of the two animals, from four hidden "panda-cams" in their enclosures, is expected to attract viewers from around the world.

Edinburgh Zoo will grow about 15% of the bamboo needed to feed the giant pandas. The rest is to be imported from Amsterdam.

Scottish secretary Michael Moore was at the airport to welcome the pandas.

He said: "The arrival of Tian Tian and Yang Guang in Scotland marks another significant chapter in the relationship between China and the UK.

"The pair will be a huge asset to the zoo and Edinburgh and today marks the culmination of a great deal of work by UK government ministers and officials to bring the pandas here.

"That has been made possible by our influence on the world stage and our international network of relations. The pandas are a symbol of the regard in which the UK is held around the world. I have no doubt they will prove a huge attraction and warmly welcome them to their new home here in Scotland."

Salmond will thank the Chinese vice-premier, Li Keqiang, in a meeting in Beijing on Monday.

Salmond said: "As panda-mania hits Scotland, and we extend a warm Scottish welcome to Tian Tian and Yang Guang, I am delighted to have the opportunity to personally thank the Chinese government and extend our thanks to vice premier Li Keqiang, who visited Edinburgh himself earlier this year.''

The plane touched down just after 1pm, with the first sighting of the pandas at around 1.40pm.

They were unloaded to the sound of bagpipes and cheers, with Tian Tian brought out first.

The flight crew was met on the tarmac by a delegation which included Moore, deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Edinburgh's lord provost George Grubb.

Sturgeon said: "This is a historic occasion for Scotland and I am delighted to welcome these giant pandas to their new home. Securing the loan of this breeding pair is a considerable honour and a strong and compelling symbol of the friendship between Scotland and China.

"Having Tian Tian and Yang Guang at Edinburgh zoo is testament to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's world-class reputation for research, science and conservation. They will undoubtedly be a huge draw for visitors, benefiting the Scottish economy and tourism sector.

"Scotland's relationship with China is hugely important and the pandas represent a fantastic opportunity to deepen our business, cultural and diplomatic ties."

More on this story

More on this story

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  • How to pamper a panda

  • Giant pandas settling in 'very well' at Edinburgh zoo

  • Pandas arrive at new home in Edinburgh zoo - video

  • Giant pandas touch down in Edinburgh

  • Giant pandas Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrive in Scotland – in pictures

  • Pandas can help on human rights issues, say Lib Dems

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