San Diego Zoo prepares to debut new giant pandas in August

Giant panda duo set to delight at San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo said it was "thrilled" as it prepared to unveil two adorable newcomers on August 8: one male and one female giant panda. (Credit: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance via Storyful)

SAN DIEGO - The countdown is on as San Diego Zoo prepares to unveil its latest additions to the park on August 8: one male and one female giant panda.

Zookeepers said four-year-old Yun Chuan is known for his gentle demeanor while three-year-old Xin Bao is "very active, alert, witty, and an excellent climber."

Their arrivals herald a new round of giant panda conservation cooperation, after the agreements from the first round — which began around 1998 — ended in recent years. The ongoing difficulties in the U.S.-China relationship fueled worries Beijing was retreating from sending pandas abroad, but President Xi Jinping in November dispelled the worries with an announcement during a U.S. visit last year.

Storyful and the Associated Press contributed to this report. This story was reported from Los Angeles.