London (CNS) -- Panda ambassadors Yangguang (male, 8) and Tiantian (female, 8), meaning "Sunlight" and "Sweetie", arrived in Edinburgh on their chartered flight on the afternoon of December 4 local time. Now it is possible for the British people to see the signature adorable markings and gestures of China's national "mascot" on home turf for the first time in 17 years.
The zoo's Chief Executive Hugh Roberts called the prospect of these ambassadors' 10-year tenure "an historic occasion." It is expected the first year of their stay will spur a sharp increase in tourist visits, predicted to be a 70 percent jump, or even higher if they have babies.
Yangguang and Tiantian, both in their prime fertility age, will occupy separate quarters while they adapt to the new surroundings and get ready to meet their new public. The delicately decorated panda "palaces" were designed with a second generation in mind.
