PANDAMONIUM: Giant Pandas Kai Kai & Jia Jia Arrive 6 September

4 September 2012, Singapore – Singapore is excited for two new citizens that will be moving into their new homes for 10 years at the soon to open River Safari.  The giant pandas Kai Kai and Jia Jia are from Ya’an Bifengxia Panda Base and will be flown in on board Singapore Airlines Cargo Boeing 747 freighter.  They are expected to touch down at Changi Airport at 8.20am on 6 September 2012 when pandamanaics will be able to follow their journey from Changi Airport to their quarantine enclosure at the Yangtze River zone.

You can tune in to a ‘live’ feed on http://pandas.riversafari.com.sg on 6 September.  (Jia Jia and Kai Kai have arrived safely and have been transported to the River Safari.  Click here to read more)

The River Safari is Wildlife Reserves Singapore’s latest addition featuring Asia’s first and only river-themed wildlife park.  It occupies 12 hectares and is being developed at a cost of S$160 million.  You can expect freshwater flora and fauna with over 150 plant species, 300 animal species and over 5,000 animal specimens.

The duo will be released into their exhibit after a month-long quarantine.  They will get to familiarise their new surroundings before going on public display in December this year when the giant panda exhibit opens.

The 18 to 22 degrees Celsius giant panda complex is 1,500 square metres and will be Southeast Asia’s largest.  Simulating the bear’s natural habitat, there are lush live plants, boulders and water features, waterfalls with shallow pools, climbing structures and enrichment features so the pandas can rest, explore, climb and swim.  There is an outdoor yard area for the pandas to enjoy fresh air and enjoy the tropical climate if they’re as afraid of the climate as their human counterparts.

The habitat exceeds the specifications set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Commemorative Stamps

SingPost will be issuing specially designed commemorative stamps in celebration of the giant pandas’ arrival.  These stamps are illustrated by local international artiste Edmund Chen and will feature the pair in three designs in various playful and relaxed poses.  They will be available at post offices and the Singapore Philatelic Museum from 6 September.

Technical Details
Date of Issue : 6 September 2012
Denominations : S$0.50, S$0.65 and S$2.00
Stamp Size : 29.85mm x 40.8mm (S$0.50 and S$0.65)
29.86mm x 55.8mm (S$2.00)
Collector’s Sheet with a S$10 stamp : 65mm x 150mm
Self-adhesive Stamp Booklet : 70mm x 93mm
Perforation : 13
Paper : Unwatermarked
Printing Process : Offset Lithography
Printer : Secura Singapore Pte Ltd
(Stamps and Collector’s Sheet)
Southern Colour Print
(Stamp Booklet)
Sheet Content : 10 stamps per sheet
Designer : Edmund Chen Zhi Cai
Graphic Designer : Wong Wui Kong

Kai Kai and Jia Jia are part of a joint collaboration between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and WRS to raise public awareness on wildlife conservation and develop a breeding programme for endangered animals.  Less than 1,600 of such giant pandas are left in the wild.    Singapore is the ninth country to receive giant pandas from China since 1994.

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Adrian Eugene Seet, editor of SUPERADRIANME.com, has long shared his passion for travel, destinations, and air travel. His childhood love for exploration has evolved into a thriving career, with his engaging content inspiring others to discover new cultures. Taiwan is his new-found favourite destination, and he dreams of visiting the Andes. Adrian's work is driven by his curiosity for travel trends and a commitment to lifelong learning.

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