DOHA: Qatar became the first Middle Eastern country Wednesday to receive Chinese giant pandas — Suhail and Soraya — who, in true Gulf fashion, took up residence in luxury air-conditioned quarters. Crowds of children and reporters watched as the four-year-old male and three-year-old female took their first steps in a temporary enclosure in a ceremony at the Al Khor park about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of Doha. The Chinese government sent the animals as gift to mark the World Cup that starts November 20. China has not qualified for the event, but is a major customer for Qatar’s natural gas. Suhail, who weighs 130 kilogrammes (286 pounds), and his female partner, who is 70 kilos (154 pounds), must undergo 21 days quarantine following their arrival along with two keepers, said Al Khor’s zoological director Tim Bouts. “In a few weeks, or in a month’s time, they will be ready to be shown to the world,” Bouts added. Authorities have not yet said whether a new Panda House, one of the biggest enclosures anywhere, will be ready by the time the World Cup starts. Suhail and Soraya will have their own separate quarters in the Panda House.
During his address at the passing out parade of the Pakistan Air Force at the…
In light of the severe weather conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan…
Global investors are eyeing European and emerging market assets to protect themselves from further turbulence…
U.S. central bank officials will conclude their latest two-day policy meeting on Wednesday with a…
Asian stocks sank in holiday-thinned trade Wednesday, tracking a sharp sell-off on Wall Street after…
The Bank of Japan's decision to keep policy unchanged last week gave yen bears plenty…
Leave a Comment