THE ASAHI SHIMBUN
December 11, 2021 at 18:05 JST
Giant panda twins Xiao Xiao, top, and Lei Lei play in their pen at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo. (Provided by Tokyo Zoological Park Society)
Giant panda twins born in June will finally go on limited public display with their mother at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo from Jan. 12.
Visitor numbers to the enclosure will initially be limited to 1,000 a day, metropolitan government officials announced Dec. 10.
Lei Lei, who is female, her twin brother Xiao Xiao and their mother Shin Shin will appear between 10 a.m. and noon.
Those hoping to see the pandas must submit their names online and wait for the outcome of a lottery draw.
Metropolitan government officials said the period for public viewing could be extended, depending on how the animals react to all the attention.
A special site will be set up on the internet for advance applications for visits.
“While taking the health of the mother and twins into consideration, we want as many people as possible to see their healthy side,” a zoo official said.
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