1.
LV Pandas in pen
0.08

2.
SCU Pandas frolicking
0.40

3.
SCU Children watch
0.45

4.
SCU Pandas frolicking again
1.17



Initials SC/1829 SC/1840



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: After two years and four days isolation, the Chinese pandas Hsing-hsing and Ling-ling have been allowed together. Since their arrival on 16 April 1972, the two pandas have been kept in separate cages to avoid female domination. The two huge animals were presented to President Nixon during his trip to China and are the first pandas sen in the United States since 1953. Officials at Washington Zoo have been observing the two bears since their arrival and on Saturday (20 April) decided the time had come to pull down the wire fence separating Hsing-hsing and Ling-ling.

The lessons learned during the abortive attempts to mate An-An and Chi-Chi have been put to use in Washington. Attempts in both London and Moscow to mate An-An and Chi-Chi failed through dominance of the female. Washington Zoo officials decided to keep Hsing-hsing and Ling-ling apart for a long period, close enough that they could see each other. It's hosed that by now they're used to each other and the male has asserted his dominance. Only time will tell, but he two pandas seemed extremely happy to be together when the fence was pulled down.