San Diego Zoo celebrates Panda Day, 1-year anniversary of pandas' return
Friday marked California Panda Day and the one-year anniversary of the pandas’ return to the San Diego Zoo.
"One year ago, our governor, Gavin Newsom, declared it an official day here in the state of California, and it's a wonderful celebration for the community of California in the world to celebrate this beautiful black-and-white animal," said Marco Wendt, a wildlife ambassador at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
He said that in 1996, the panda population was fewer than 1,000. Now the status of the animal has changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" as a result of conservation efforts.
"I'm really excited that we did get the panda back," zoo visitor Jonathan Nagle said. "I've lived here since 2009, and the first time that the panda was here, we never really got to come and see it."
"One year ago, our governor, Gavin Newsom, declared it an official day here in the state of California, and it's a wonderful celebration for the community of California in the world to celebrate this beautiful black-and-white animal," said Marco Wendt, a wildlife ambassador at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
He said that in 1996, the panda population was fewer than 1,000. Now the status of the animal has changed from "endangered" to "vulnerable" as a result of conservation efforts.
"I'm really excited that we did get the panda back," zoo visitor Jonathan Nagle said. "I've lived here since 2009, and the first time that the panda was here, we never really got to come and see it."