Schönbrunn Zoo Welcomes New Panda Couple in Modernized Enclosure

(eap) The giant pandas “Lan Yun” and “He Feng” were officially welcomed yesterday morning with a festive ceremony at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna. The new panda couple arrived from China on April 23, 2025 and had been kept in the indoor enclosure since then for quarantine and acclimatization. The two animals are now visible to the public – in a completely redesigned and expanded panda enclosure. The return of the giant pandas marks the continuation of the research and conservation cooperation with the China Wildlife Conservation Association (CWCA), which has been in place since 2003 and was extended for a further ten years in June 2024. In his speech, Austria’s Federal President Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen highlighted the symbolic significance of the pandas for bilateral relations and spoke of a “sign of the Chinese-Austrian partnership”.

Bundeskanzler Dr. Christian Stocker, Bundespräsident Dr. Alexander Van der Bellen, Li Hongzhong, Vizepräsident des Nationalen Volkskongresses der Volksrepublik China und Tiergartendirektor Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck (v.l.n.r.). © Daniel Zupanc

Federal Chancellor Dr. Christian Stocker emphasized the importance of the project as a successful example of international cooperation in the field of species conservation. In her speech, Chinese Ambassador Qi Mei referred to the success of the cooperation in the areas of research, breeding and education as well as the role of the pandas as a “brilliant calling card of the strategic partnership” between the two countries. Austrian politicians also expect the continuation of the panda cooperation to boost the economy and tourism. Economics Minister Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer described Schönbrunn Zoo as one of the country’s most important visitor magnets and the return of the pandas as a “strong sign of Vienna’s international importance as a tourist and business location”.

Pandahaus Innenanlage © Daniel Zupanc

The facility itself has been thoroughly modernized over the past eight months under the direction of architect emeritus Prof. Dr. Manfred Wehdorn. The indoor facility was extended by around a third of its size, new water areas and climbing facilities were integrated into the outdoor areas and additional space was created by relocating the red pandas. The redesign was implemented as a joint Chinese-Austrian project with traditional Chinese design elements. A traditional lion dance performance was shown at the opening.

The two four-year-old animals “Lan Yun” (“grace of an orchid”) and “He Feng” (“breath of lotus”) come from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) and are currently being cared for by their trusted Chinese keeper team together with the zoo’s panda team. In his speech, zoo director Dr. Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck emphasized the importance of the panda conservation project for the zoo’s international species conservation work: “Giant pandas are not only crowd-pullers worldwide, but also important ambassadors for the protection of endangered species.” However, as only a few zoos in Europe specialize in keeping and caring for giant pandas, the animals also represent a unique selling point for visitors. ■