127,265 people visited Xing Xing and Liang Liang at Zoo Negara

The giant panda conservation centre at Zoo Negara received 127,265 visitors since it was first opened to the public on June 27, this year.

The number comprised 58.5 per cent of 217,746 people who visited Zoo Negara this year up till Sept 30, said Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri G.Palanivel at the Dewan Rakyat here today.

"The ministry will continue to promote the centre and will provide support and cooperation to Zoo Negara in its wildlife conservation efforts," he said in response to a question from Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut).

Meanwhile, Palanivel said the zoo recorded 147 births and 69 deaths between January and August this year.

The deaths were due to illness, injuries from trauma, nutritional problems, and neonatal.

The giant pandas named Xing Xing and Liang Liang arrived from China last May 21, to symbolise Malaysia and China's 40-year diplomatic relations.

They will be in the country for 10 years under the International Giant Panda Conservation Cooperation Agreement.