A giant panda couple from China was welcomed to Vienna Zoo.

The five-year-old giant pandas, Lan Yun and He Feng, touched down at Vienna International Airport on April 23.

Experts says this marks a new chapter in Austria's ongoing conservation partnership with China.

Zoo Director Dr Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck personally travelled to Chengdu to attend the farewell ceremony and accompanied the pandas on their journey to Austria.

District Manager Dr Gerlinde Hillebrand and animal keeper Mag Renate Haider spent a week at the Dujiangyan Panda Station in China to observe the animals and learn about their habits prior to the transfer.

During the flight, Haider and veterinarian Yang Haidi had access to the cargo hold, regularly checking on the pandas and providing bamboo, steamed bamboo bread, and water to ensure their comfort and well-being.

Footage shows the pandas eating bamboo sticks inside their enclosure at the zoo.

The solitary animals are reported to remain in quarantine and begin acclimating to their indoor spaces until mid-May, when they will be officially introduced to the public.

Their trusted keeper also travelled to Vienna and will stay on to support their transition.

Lan Yun and He Feng were born at the Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and are now part of a long-standing conservation initiative.

At the event, Federal President Dr Alexander Van der Bellen praised the animals as symbols of the friendship between Austria and China. He expressed hope that cooperation like this will continue to bring nations together.

Federal Chancellor Dr Christian Stocker said: 'The value of the project lies in both science and diplomacy. It is a powerful example of how species protection can unite people and promote understanding.'

Chinese Ambassador Qi Mei celebrated the success of past efforts in panda conservation. She welcomed Lan Yun and He Feng as cultural ambassadors, bringing greetings from the Chinese people.

In the 1980s, the wild panda population in China had dwindled to around 1,100. Through dedicated preservation efforts, that number has risen to nearly 1,900 today.

Since 2003, Schonbrunn Zoo has been working with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to protect this iconic species. The partnership was renewed in June 2024 for another ten years.

Zoo Director Dr Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck said: 'We are very proud to be committed to the protection and preservation of the giant panda and its habitat.'