Taipei: The Taipei Zoo is set to exchange a pair of African penguins for a pair of red pandas from the Shanghai Zoo, with the process expected to be finalized in the first half of 2026, an official announced on Thursday.
According to Focus Taiwan, the red pandas are currently awaiting their second rabies vaccination before they can be transported to Taiwan. Taipei Zoo Director Ju Shiau-fen informed the Taipei City Council about the ongoing preparations. Meanwhile, Taipei’s African penguins are still undergoing confirmation of which avian flu vaccine is approved by the Shanghai Zoo.
Once the necessary quarantine procedures are completed on both sides, the two zoos will proceed with planning the exchange, targeting the beginning of next year when weather conditions are anticipated to be more suitable for transporting the animals.
The planned exchange stems from a memorandum of understanding signed by Taipei and Shanghai during the Taipei-Shanghai City Forum held in Taipei in December 2024. Despite concerns raised by City Councilor Chen You-cheng of the Taiwan People’s Party following the postponement of this year’s forum originally scheduled for September, the exchange plans remain on track. He also highlighted the importance of carefully naming the red pandas to prevent any negative political implications, to which Director Ju assured that the zoo would manage naming discussions with caution.
