Japan-born panda in China for breeding

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Japan-born panda in China for breeding

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15 March,2010 04:23 pm

A Japan-born Giant Panda left Japan on Monday to head to China for breeding.The four-year-old male panda, whose name is Kohin in Japanese will be moved to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Born in August 2005, Kohin was raised at Adventure World in Shirahama, central Japan. Ahead of his departure, visitors gathered to say good bye and wish him a safe trip to China.Kohin is the fourth Japan-born panda to return to China from Adventure World which is well-known in Japan for its success in breeding pandas. There are six more pandas at Adventure World. According to Chinese media, the panda will remain in quarantine for a month before being shown to the public.The gift of pandas, a popular attraction at zoos around the world, is often used by China as a diplomatic tool but also as a way to expand the breeding programme beyond its borders.Scientists believe about 1,590 giant pandas live in the wild in China.