Six giant pandas left the Wolong breeding reserve in Sichuan for their new home in Ya’an, Sichuan on Monday, completing the first large-scale panda relocation in the world.

They are the second group to move to the Bifengxia reserve in Ya’an City, 200 kilometers from the Wolong reserve. The oldest panda is 7-year-old and the others range from two to three years old.

Because the Wolong reserve is too crowded with giant pandas, the spacious Bifengxia habitat was built since last year to reduce the risk of disease. It will also help prevent inbreeding.

The new habitat has 16 shelters, all equipped with air conditioning and running water. With a planned area of 400 hectares, the Bifengxia reserve will be completed in 2005, when 40 giant pandas will live there.

The first eight pandas moved to the Bifengxia reserve Sept. 21 and adapted well to their new environment.

The Bifengxia Panda Breeding Reserve would be opened to visitors Friday.

(Shenzhen Daily December 23, 2003)