Taipei, Shanghai zoos to do African penguin, red panda trade in 2026

Taipei, Oct. 16 (CNA) The exchange of a pair of African penguins from the Taipei Zoo for a pair of red pandas from the Shanghai Zoo will be finalized in the first half of 2026, an official said Thursday.

The pandas are currently waiting to take the second of two rabies vaccination jabs before they can come to Taiwan, Taipei Zoo Director Ju Shiau-fen (朱孝芬) told the Taipei City Council.

As for Taipei's penguins, the zoo is still confirming which avian flu vaccine is approved by the Shanghai Zoo.

After quarantine procedures are complete on both sides, the two zoos will plan the exchange procedures for the beginning of next year, as weather conditions will be more suitable for transporting the animals, she said.

The exchange was based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two cities at the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum held in Taipei in December 2024.

In the wake of this year's forum, originally slated for September, being postponed, City Councilor Chen You-cheng (陳宥丞) of the Taiwan People's Party asked whether the exchange may be disrupted.

He also urged the zoo to be cautious when naming the red pandas to avoid sparking negative political sentiment among the public. In response, Ju said the zoo would take appropriate measures during the naming discussions.