Tribune News Network
Doha
Two giant pandas from Beijing arrived on Wednesday in Qatar, becoming the first Middle Eastern country since the 20th century to play host to the cuddly bears from China, the Ministry of Municipality has announced.
The pair, "Soraya” and "Suhail”, are a gift from China and arrived in Qatar just weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2022. They are currently in a period of quarantine, after which they will be available for the public to see at their enclosure at Al Khor Park, around 35 kilometres from Doha.
Director of the Public Parks Department Mohammed Ali Al Khori said the enclosure is built as per the highest international standards and emulates the environmental and climatic conditions of their native habitat — the Minshan Mountains in the Chinese province of Sichuan.
Al Khori said the enclosure sprawls over 120,000 square metres and includes shelter, in addition to green areas and service buildings. A medical facility is attached to the enclosure to meet the needs of the animals at all times. The pandas will be taken care of by an international team comprising doctors and specialists in giant panda medicine.
Bamboo shoots, which form the main staple of the pandas’ diet, are being cultivated in the part. Trees from Chinese forests were also brought and cultivated inside the shelter.