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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Giant pandas arrive in Edinburgh from China | Giant pandas arrive in Edinburgh from China |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Two giant pandas have arrived in Edinburgh, after an nine-hour journey from China. | Two giant pandas have arrived in Edinburgh, after an nine-hour journey from China. |
| The specially-chartered flight for Edinburgh Zoo's new residents, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, touched down just after 13:00. | The specially-chartered flight for Edinburgh Zoo's new residents, Tian Tian and Yang Guang, touched down just after 13:00. |
| The pair are the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years. | The pair are the first giant pandas to live in the UK for 17 years. |
| The pandas arrived to wintry conditions in Edinburgh with temperatures of about 3C, having left temperatures of 10C at Chengdu Airport. | The pandas arrived to wintry conditions in Edinburgh with temperatures of about 3C, having left temperatures of 10C at Chengdu Airport. |
| BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said: "I have been told the male panda, Yang Guang, is very fond of a roll around in the snow. | BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said: "I have been told the male panda, Yang Guang, is very fond of a roll around in the snow. |
| "The conditions should be to his liking." | "The conditions should be to his liking." |
| He said the pandas had very different characters. | He said the pandas had very different characters. |
| "The female is more coy and shy, whereas the male is more outgoing," he said. | "The female is more coy and shy, whereas the male is more outgoing," he said. |
| "Neither is aggressive, they're both easy going - eating and sleeping a lot of the time." | "Neither is aggressive, they're both easy going - eating and sleeping a lot of the time." |
| In-flight meals | In-flight meals |
| Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, and the Chinese Charge d'Affaires were at the airport to meet the pandas. | Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, and the Chinese Charge d'Affaires were at the airport to meet the pandas. |
| Tian Tian was first to be taken off the 777 aircraft, the "FedEx Panda Express", in her specially-designed crate with perspex sides. | Tian Tian was first to be taken off the 777 aircraft, the "FedEx Panda Express", in her specially-designed crate with perspex sides. |
| The female panda and Yang Guang were then loaded onto a lorry for the 15-minute trip to the zoo. | The female panda and Yang Guang were then loaded onto a lorry for the 15-minute trip to the zoo. |
| FedEx Express said the pair had enjoyed in-flight meals of bamboo, apples, carrots, a special panda cake and mineral water. | FedEx Express said the pair had enjoyed in-flight meals of bamboo, apples, carrots, a special panda cake and mineral water. |
| They were accompanied by a vet and two animal handlers from Edinburgh Zoo and the Bifengxia Panda Base. | They were accompanied by a vet and two animal handlers from Edinburgh Zoo and the Bifengxia Panda Base. |
| Messages and artwork by more than 1,000 Chinese children, wishing Tian Tian and Yang Guang good luck in their new home, were sent with the pair. | Messages and artwork by more than 1,000 Chinese children, wishing Tian Tian and Yang Guang good luck in their new home, were sent with the pair. |
| Breeding hopes | Breeding hopes |
| Crowds gathered at the zoo to welcome the pandas as they arrived. | |
| Tian Tian, meaning "sweetie", and Yang Guang, meaning "sunshine", will have two weeks to settle in to their new enclosure before going on display to the public. | Tian Tian, meaning "sweetie", and Yang Guang, meaning "sunshine", will have two weeks to settle in to their new enclosure before going on display to the public. |
| The pandas' new £250,000 home at the zoo includes two separate enclosures. | The pandas' new £250,000 home at the zoo includes two separate enclosures. |
| When Tian Tian comes into season the pair will be introduced to each other - possibly in February or March. | When Tian Tian comes into season the pair will be introduced to each other - possibly in February or March. |
| Tian Tian has had twin cubs in the past, and Yang Guang has also fathered cubs - though not as a pair together. | Tian Tian has had twin cubs in the past, and Yang Guang has also fathered cubs - though not as a pair together. |
| Animal welfare campaigners have criticised the zoo for accepting the pandas, saying it is a "primarily commercial deal". | Animal welfare campaigners have criticised the zoo for accepting the pandas, saying it is a "primarily commercial deal". |
| They claim it is not a credible way to go about saving the giant panda. | They claim it is not a credible way to go about saving the giant panda. |
| Bringing the pandas to Edinburgh has involved a five-year effort by the zoo. | Bringing the pandas to Edinburgh has involved a five-year effort by the zoo. |
| The eight-year-old pair will stay at the zoo for at least 10 years. | The eight-year-old pair will stay at the zoo for at least 10 years. |
| Officials hope their presence will boost tourism and the Scottish economy. | Officials hope their presence will boost tourism and the Scottish economy. |
| The Scottish government said the loan of the pandas symbolised a "growing friendship" between Scotland and China. | The Scottish government said the loan of the pandas symbolised a "growing friendship" between Scotland and China. |
| The arrival of the pandas coincides with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's visit to China to promote business and cultural links. | The arrival of the pandas coincides with Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond's visit to China to promote business and cultural links. |
| Mr Salmond said he would thank the Chinese Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, in a meeting to take place in Beijing on Monday. | Mr Salmond said he would thank the Chinese Vice Premier, Li Keqiang, in a meeting to take place in Beijing on Monday. |
| He said: "The great gift of these giant pandas symbolises the great and growing relationship between Scotland and China, which we will take further forward tomorrow when Vice Premier Li and I meet and discuss Scotland and China's business, cultural and diplomatic links which are growing ever stronger to the benefit of both nations." | |
| Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the arrival of the pandas was a reflection of the strength of the UK's relationship with China. | Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the arrival of the pandas was a reflection of the strength of the UK's relationship with China. |
| "It shows that we can co-operate closely not only on commerce, but on a broad range of environmental and cultural issues as well," he said. | "It shows that we can co-operate closely not only on commerce, but on a broad range of environmental and cultural issues as well," he said. |
| Are you going to Edinburgh Zoo to welcome the pandas? Send us your stories and photos of your visit using the form below. | Are you going to Edinburgh Zoo to welcome the pandas? Send us your stories and photos of your visit using the form below. |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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