Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell visited Edinburgh Zoo recently to meet the latest VIP additions to their menagerie of animals....Very Important Pandas! The local MP made time in his busy ministerial schedule to see first-hand how the zoo's newest attractions are settling in since their arrival in December 2011. The arrival of the pair of eight-year-old animals came after a historic deal was signed following years of negotiations. Princess Anne, Prime Ministers David Cameron and Gordon Brown and First Minister Alex Salmond were all involved in the talks before China finally agreed to the ten-year loan.
As the first resident giant pandas within the UK for more than 17 years, the animals are generally thought to have adapted well to their new home and appear rather 'bamboozled’ by all the fuss they have created.
Commenting on his visit to meet the pandas, Mr Mundell said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet these magnificent animals and to see how well they are doing in their new home. I'm sure it must have been a culture shock for Tian Tian and Yang Guang when they first arrived in Scotland in the midst of winter! It's easy to see why they have already become the zoo's most popular attraction, even if they are still a little camera-shy. The great gift of these giant pandas symbolises the growing relationship between Scotland and China, and I'm sure these animals will strengthen cultural links to the benefit of both countries."