With a Chinese entrance, a teahouse, a traditional moon gate and a goldfish pond, the China Exhibit of the Memphis Zoo looked like a real Chinese garden. Special care had been taken to include flowers, animals and even insects from China.
    The exhibit was designed to house very special guests: giant pandas from China. The pair of pandas who live here are on loan from China. The zoo went all out to gain approval to borrow these rare animals. It spent more than $16 million to build the China Exhibit. When Chinese officials visited the exhibit, they were impressed by the Chinese-style garden.
    In April 2003, the Memphis Zoo arrived in Memphis, Tennessee. In the first eight weeks, more than 200,000 zoo visitors welcomed the pandas.
    Today, the crowd isn’t quite as large. But 8-year-old Le Le and 6-year-old Ya Ya are still the most popular zoo residents. Visitors can view them in their outdoor home that resembles a bamboo forest. Ya Ya loves to play on the temperature-controlled hot and cold rocks. The pair can also be seen in their climate-controlled glass apartment.
    Research is a key part of the agreement. Before receiving the pandas, the Memphis Zoo submitted a detailed research plan. They agreed to study the nutritional value of bamboo. Also, scientists from Memphis and China will work together to study the giant pandas’ diet.
    Everyone seems to be benefiting from the plan. Researchers are gaining knowledge about how to protect pandas in the wild. Memphis Zoo-goers are getting a taste of Chinese culture. And honored guests Le Le and Ya Ya are enjoying all the bamboo they can eat.