The resort construction sector of Samsung C&T Corporation signed an agreement with the wildlife protection society of China to cooperate on protecting pandas. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – Everland amusement park will be adding a couple of rare panda bears to its animal roster, and will share them with the public starting next year.
The resort construction sector of Samsung C&T Corporation signed an agreement with the wildlife protection society of China to cooperate on protecting pandas.
With the signing of the agreement, Everland will invite a panda couple from a panda protection research center in Sichuan province, and study them for 15 years, contributing to research on protecting pandas.
After the pandas arrive early next year and complete a period of adaptation to the new environment, they will be open to the public at a spring festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of the amusement park.
Pandas are designated as a grade 1 endangered species by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). They are a rare breed with only 1,600 remaining. The Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006.
Pandas have also played a great role in diplomacy between Korea and China. Currently, only 13 countries, including the U.S., Japan and England have a total of 48 pandas. Whenever Chinese officials visit these countries, they always visit the zoo due to their love of pandas.
Everland was chosen as the pandas home since it had experience raising pandas in 1994, and also has expertise in breeding rare animals.
The theme park is currently building an enclosure for the pandas to live in, as part of a collaboration with Samsung Electronics and their cutting edge IT technology.
By Francine Jung (francine.jung@kobizmedia.co.kr)
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