KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 — The operational costs of keeping a pair of giant pandas from China and the maintenance costs of the Giant Panda Conservation Centre at about RM2.25 million annually are being borne by the National Zoo.
Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri said the cost of conservation of about RM6 million was also borne by the National Zoo to be paid to China, as stipulated in the Malaysia-China agreement last year.
“Since the female giant panda had given birth to a cub on Aug 15, the conservation fee of US$600,000 will be paid only once to China when the cub is one year old,” he said in reply to a question from Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah (PAS-Kubang Kerian) in the Dewan Rakyat, here, today.
Ahmad Baihaki had wanted to know the cost of caring for the pair of giant pandas, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, since its arrival from China last year.
Hamim said the arrival of the pandas had fostered closer diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China, and also promoted conservation research activities among experts from both countries.
“It also contributes to the country’s economy as the number of visitors to the National Zoo had increased by 20 per cent from 588,000 in 2013 to about 700,000 in 2014,” he said.
To a supplementary question from Datuk Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) on the population of giant pandas, Hamim said there were about 1,800 giant pandas around the world, including 397 in captivity.
“Because it is an endangered animal, we should be proud that the arrival of the giant pandas has provided an opportunity for Malaysians to be involved in conservation projects,” he said. — Bernama
