TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Zoo (台北市立動物園) announced on Tuesday (Dec. 17) plans to exchange African penguins for red pandas with the Shanghai Zoo as part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier that day at the "Taipei-Shanghai Twin-City Forum." The agreement aims to enhance genetic diversity and foster long-term collaboration in wildlife conservation between the two cities.
During the 15th Twin-City Forum, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Yi-hua (林奕華) and Shanghai Deputy Mayor Hua Yuan (華源) signed the MOU under the witness of Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安). The MOU covers animal exchange, professional development, and personnel exchange, with a focus on joint research in wildlife conservation management.
Taipei Zoo highlighted its red panda family, consisting of 11 individuals, including three breeding pairs, as a key reason for the exchange. The zoo aims to increase genetic diversity through this collaboration. Also, the Taipei City Department of Health (台北市衛生局) noted that cooperation in smart medical care will enhance exchanges in digital transformation, smart hospitals, and telemedicine, ultimately improving healthcare services for citizens.
This strategic partnership between Taipei and Shanghai underscores a commitment to both wildlife conservation and advanced healthcare collaboration.
