Pandas resting in new habitat after smooth delivery on the Panda Express

TORONTO – Like a couple of rock stars, two giant pandas on loan to Canada from China arrived in Toronto Monday in the “Panda Express.”

The flight arrived at Pearson International Airport at around 10:45 a.m., and the two pandas are now resting comfortably in their new habitat.

Toronto Zoo officials say both giant pandas travelled well, with Er Shun being a little nervous, but the two are now resting and exploring the zoo’s special enclosure.

The zoo says the two pandas ate nearly 200 kgs of apples and 200 kgs of bamboo during their flight.

They have not yet met face-to-face, and will be introduced to one another when the zookeepers determine the time is right.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, his wife, Laureen, the Chinese ambassador to Canada Zhang Junsai, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, were on hand to greet the two pandas at a ceremony on the tarmac.

Harper “signed” for the two FedEx packages, joking that “it’s not every day you get to sign for pandas.”

More

• Video: “Panda Express” touches down at Toronto Pearson International Airport
• Video: Prime Minister Stephen Harper welcomes pair of pandas 
• Video: Giant pandas arrive at Toronto Zoo

“I am truly delighted to officially welcome to Canada — I know we all are — a pair of China’s national treasures Er Shun and Da Mao,” he said.

“‘It has been more than 20 years since Canadians have had the opportunity to see giant pandas in our zoos.”

The male and female bears — Da Mao, 4, and Er Shun, 5, respectively — will spend five years at the Toronto Zoo before relocating to the Calgary Zoo for another five years.

The Toronto Zoo said the pandas will go into immediate quarantine for 30 days.

“In that time, they’ll be getting used to their new home and having each other around,” said Gabriela Mastromonaco of the Toronto Zoo.

“They come from two different facilities, of course, so they need to get along. They’re never housed together until breeding,” she said.

The cuddly-looking pandas are on loan from the Chinese government for 10 years, as a sign of warmer diplomatic relations between the two countries. It is the first panda visit in 24 years.

The cost of flying the pandas to Toronto was picked up by FedEx Express Canada.

They eat mostly bamboo, which also has to be flown in from Sichuan Province.

The exhibit at the zoo is expected to open in May.

“I know that our family is looking forward to visiting Er Shun and Da Mao at the Toronto Zoo as soon as they’ve adjusted to their new life in Canada,” Harper said.

The pandas are two of only 1,600 that remain in the wild. Officials say they hope the pandas will mate during their time in Canada.

The Toronto and Calgary Zoos played host to pandas in 1985 and 1988, respectively, while another couple took up a brief residence at the Winnipeg Zoo in 1989.

FedEx Canada live-tweeted (@FedExCanada) the journey. Read a recap of it below: