San Francisco mayor writes letter to Chinese officials to bring pandas to zoo
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Could a panda be the next big exhibit for the San Francisco zoo? That was the mayor's goal when she wrote a letter to China's leaders asking them to consider the San Francisco Zoo as a temporary home for the popular animals.
Right now, the only cute fuzzy pandas you can find at the San Francisco Zoo are on the shelves of the gift shop. But San Francisco Mayor London Breed says she's hoping to create more real-life encounters after writing a letter to Chinese officials extolling the benefits of a panda stay at her city's zoo.
The mayor first made the suggestion to China President Xi Jinping during the APEC Summit in San Francisco in November after hearing him talk talk about restarting so-called "Panda diplomacy."
"This is a way to say we are opening up the doors: Developing a relationship by sharing with you one of our most valuable precious assets...to show respect and to build on that relationship," Breed spoke.
Breed points out, historically, San Francisco established the first consulate as well as the first sister city relationship with China, and she says she's encouraged by the feedback so far.
"We had some high level experts visit San Francisco at the end of last year to look over the zoo and to determine location and whether or not San Francisco could potentially host it, and it's clear we can," Breed shared.
Zoo visitors we talked to say the pandas would give the city a much needed image boost. One even saw a panda at the San Diego Zoo years back and shares what's the biggest thrill about seeing a panda.
"How silly they are, and how floofy they are, and basically how carefree they are," said Jamie Hui, a San Francisco resident.
One security guard, Helmut Schober, wants it to happen even if it means more work.
"I think it'd be a good thing. People would come in and have the opportunity to see an animal they don't always see," Schober said while adding that he's excited to see a panda at the zoo.
