CHINA> Photo
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CHINA> Photo
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Panda pair make outdoor debut on Valentine's Day in Taiwan
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-02-15 11:23 TAIPEI -- The pair of pandas sent by the Chinese mainland to Taiwan took their first outdoor steps at the Taipei Zoo Saturday.
Local visitors said the pandas were well adapted to their open-air environment and vigorously played with each other throughout the morning.
Some couples even visited the pair with red rose bouquets for Valentine's Day.
The pandas, "Tuan Tuan" and "Yuan Yuan" (together meaning "reunion"), started to meet indoor visitors on Jan. 26, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. They arrived on the island on Dec. 23.
The venue for the pair's outdoor activities covers an area of 750 square meters and has been decorated with grass, trees, a waterfall and hills to simulate the wild environment where the species inhabit.
To prevent the pair from escaping and being touched, the pandas are separated from visitors by a huge glass wall.
Staff reminded visitors to avoid loud noises and camera flashes since the pandas are still sensitive and easily provoked.
According to the zoo, 330,000 visitors so far have come to see the pandas.
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