By early 2012 when you visit Singapore’s latest natural attraction, the River Safari, you will be able to say hello to its two most important residents – a male and female Giant Panda.

The two pandas are a gift from the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA) to Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS), as part of a joint collaboration to promote giant panda conservation, raise public awareness of conservation and implement a giant panda breeding research programme.

The two pandas, scheduled to arrive in Singapore in the second half of 2011, will have a new home at the River Safari, the fourth and latest nature park by WRS, which also operates Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark.

Preliminary work for River Safari has begun and construction is due to be completed by mid-2011. Visitors will be able to see the pandas when River Safari opens its doors in early 2012.

Did you know?

• The two giant pandas will be housed in a 1600 m2 climate-controlled enclosure, off-exhibit holding area, exercise yard and cubbing den.

• The entire habitat will be air-conditioned with temperature set between 18 to 220C and humidity controlled at 50 to 60% all year round. The ambient conditions will be adjusted to simulate the four seasons similar to their natural habitat

• The The Giant Panda’s diet consists mainly of bamboo, vegetables and special foliovore biscuits.

• It is estimated that a panda’s daily intake is about 20kg of bamboo browse per day. In preparation of the pandas’ arrival, Wildlife Reserves Singapore plans to cultivate six different bamboo species in its parks.

• According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Giant Panda is endangered. The contraction of panda population is the result of logging and trees being removed to make way for farming. Conservation efforts include restoring panda habitats such as creating forest reserves and captive breeding programmes.