China Sends Veterinarian Experts to Taiwan to Aid in Recovery of Sick Panda

Panda diplomacy worked well in Taiwan this week, when a pair of Chinese giant panda specialists visited Taiwan to help with the treatment of a giant panda named Tuan Tuan.

It’s a rare moment of warmth between the cross-Strait neighbors, amid a recent rise in tensions, and the Chinese veterinarians will be there for some time to provide Tuan Tuan the best care possible.

MRI scans revealed that Tuan Tuan has a malignant brain tumor, and that the cancer is progressing. His Taiwanese keepers suspected something like it when he began to act very lethargic.

Zoo spokesperson Eric Tsao said the sides were pooling their knowledge and experience to provide Tuan Tuan with “the best treatment and the best daily care.”

Tuan Tuan and his mate Yuan Yuan were moved to the Taipei Zoo in 2008 during a particularly warm period of relations between the countries. China sends giant pandas to zoos all over the world to raise awareness of their risk of extinction, and to improve relations with the host country, an activity that’s taken the name “Panda Diplomacy.”

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There are currently 500 pandas living in zoos and sanctuaries around the world.

Giant panda Tuan Tuan suffering from a suspected malignant brain tumor is in better condition than previously thought and has been given palliative care, said the Taipei Zoo on Monday.pic.twitter.com/5xwj0EXPtx

— Zhang Meifang张美芳 (@CGMeifangZhang) November 7, 2022

Wu Honglin and Wei Ming, the visiting Chinese vets have vast experience working with pandas at the main breeding and research center in Sichuan Province, one of the panda’s native homes.

On Monday, Consul General of China in Belfast, Zhang Meifang, said Tuan Tuan’s tumor is not as bad as was previously believed.

WATCH Tuan Tuan see the vets… 

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